Barcode reader and docking station for charging the barcode reader

ABSTRACT

A barcode reader and a docking station for charging the barcode reader are disclosed. The barcode reader may be an elongated pen-shaped device that includes a capacitive tip for use as a stylus against a capacitive touch screen and a barcode reader for reading a barcode. The barcode reader may be docked in the docking station for charging. The docking station may include a magnetic structure for holding the barcode reader to the docking station, and a positioning structure for aligning the charging contacts of the barcode reader and the docking station. The docking station may include a battery such that the barcode reader may be charged from the battery while being docked in the docking station.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/031,226, titled “Next Generation Barcode Scanner Systems,” filedJul. 31, 2014, with inventor Phil Utykanski, which is incorporatedherein by reference as if fully set forth. This application is acontinuation in part of: i) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/717,112,filed May 20, 2015, and entitled “BARCODE READER” (Attorney's Docket No.3271-2-071); ii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/741,213, filed Jun.16, 2015, and entitled “BARCODE READER AND ACCESSORY FOR THE BARCODEREADER” (Attorney's Docket No. 3271-2-074); and iii) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/641,305, filed Mar. 7, 2015, and entitled“BARCODE READER AND ACCESSORY FOR THE BARCODE READER” (Attorney's DocketNo. 3271-2-077). Each of the foregoing patent applications is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a barcode reader. Morespecifically, the present disclosure relates to a barcode reader and adocking station for charging the barcode reader.

BACKGROUND

A barcode is an optical machine-readable representation of information.Devices for identifying or extracting information from barcodes aregenerally referred to as barcode readers or barcode scanners. Animage-based barcode reader includes a camera for capturing an image of abarcode to be read. The camera includes a focusing lens that focuseslight reflected from a target area onto a photo sensor array. Once animage of a barcode has been captured by the camera, a decoder processesthe image and extracts the information contained in the barcode.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, there is provided a docking station forcharging a barcode reader. The docking station may include a matingsurface, a plurality of charging contacts, a magnetic structure, and apositioning structure. The barcode reader is positioned against themating surface for charging. The charging contacts, including at leastone charging contact for power and at least one charging contact forground, are coupled to mating contacts on the barcode reader when thebarcode reader is positioned against the mating surface. The magneticstructure is for holding the barcode reader against the mating surface.The positioning structure aligns the barcode reader against the matingsurface when the barcode reader is positioned against the matingsurface.

The docking station may include a battery, master charging contacts, amaster charging circuitry, and a barcode reader charging circuitry. Themaster charging circuitry is coupled between the battery and the mastercharging contacts and configured to charge the battery when the mastercharging contacts are coupled to a power source. The barcode readercharging circuitry is coupled between the battery and the chargingcontacts and configured to provide charging power from the battery tothe barcode reader when the charging contacts are coupled to the matingcontacts on the barcode reader.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a docking station forcharging a barcode reader. The docking station may include a pluralityof charging contacts, a docking surface, and a magnetic structure. Thedocking surface may include a positioning structure shaped to correspondwith a mating shape of at least a portion of a housing of the barcodereader and position mating contacts on the barcode reader with thecharging contacts when the mating shape of at least a portion of thehousing of the barcode reader is positioned adjacent to the dockingsurface. The magnetic structure is configured to secure the mating shapeof at least a portion of the housing of the barcode reader in a positionadjacent to the docking surface. The docking station may include a basefor securing the docking station on a horizontal or vertical surface.The docking station may include a battery, master charging contacts, amaster charging circuitry, and a barcode reader charging circuitry.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a docking station forcharging an elongated barcode reader. The docking station may include acavity, charging contacts, and a magnetic structure. The barcode readeris positioned in the cavity for charging. The charging contacts,including at least one charging contact for power and at least onecharging contact for ground, are positioned about a periphery of thecavity for coupling to mating contacts on the barcode reader when thebarcode reader is positioned in the cavity. The magnetic structure isfor holding the barcode reader at a position within the cavity such thatthe mating contacts on the barcode reader are in contact with thecharging contacts. The docking station may also include a positioningstructure configured to position the barcode reader within the cavity toalign the mating contacts on the barcode reader in contact with thecharging contacts as the barcode reader is inserted into the cavity. Thedocking station may include a battery, master charging contacts, amaster charging circuitry, and a barcode reader charging circuitry.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a docking station forcharging an elongated barcode reader. The docking station may include acavity, charging contacts, and a holding structure. The barcode readeris positioned in the cavity for charging. The charging contactspositioned about a periphery of the cavity are for coupling to matingcontacts on the barcode reader when the barcode reader is positioned inthe cavity. The holding structure is for holding the barcode reader at aposition within the cavity with each charging contact in contact with acorresponding mating contact on the barcode reader. The docking stationmay also include a positioning structure configured to position thebarcode reader within the cavity to align the mating contacts on thebarcode reader in contact with the charging contacts as the barcodereader is inserted into the cavity. The docking station may include abattery, master charging contacts, a master charging circuitry, and abarcode reader charging circuitry.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a barcode reader. Thebarcode reader may include a barcode scanning unit for reading abarcode, a battery for supplying operating power for the barcode reader,a mating surface, charging contacts, and a magnetic structure. Themating surface is configured to position against a corresponding matingsurface of a docking station when the barcode reader is positioned onthe docking station for charging the battery. The charging contacts,including at least one charging contact for power and at least onecharging contact for ground, are coupled to mating contacts on thedocking station when the barcode reader is positioned against the matingsurface of the docking station. The magnetic structure is for holdingthe barcode reader against the mating surface of the docking station.The barcode reader may also include a positioning structure for aligningthe barcode reader against the mating surface of the docking stationwhen the barcode reader is positioned against the mating surface of thedocking station.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a barcode reader. Thebarcode reader may include a mouse-shaped housing with a flat bottomsurface, a barcode scanning unit for reading a barcode, a battery forsupplying operating power for the barcode reader, charging contacts, anda magnetic structure. The charging contacts are on the bottom surface ofthe housing. The charging contacts are coupled to mating contactslocated on a flat top surface of a docking station when the barcodereader is positioned on the docking station for charging the battery.The magnetic structure is for securing the charging contacts of thebarcode reader in contact with the mating contacts of the dockingstation. The barcode reader may also include a positioning structure foraligning the barcode reader against the top surface of the dockingstation when the barcode reader is positioned on the docking station.The mouse-shaped barcode reader may include a track ball and/or a rollerwheel for scrolling and moving a cursor as in conventional computermouse, and may also have two push buttons. This mouse-shaped barcodereader may function as a handheld barcode reader and may be used on aflat surface like a traditional computer mouse.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a pen-shaped barcodescanning device. The pen-shaped barcode scanning device may include ahousing with a generally cylindrical portion sized to be held in anindividual's hand in a writing position, a capacitive tip positioned atone end of the housing for use as a stylus against a capacitive touchscreen, and a barcode reader positioned at another end of the housingfor reading a barcode. The barcode scanning device may include a matingsurface configured to position against a corresponding mating surface ofa docking station when the barcode scanning device is positioned forcharging, charging contacts, and a magnetic structure. The chargingcontacts, including at least one charging contact for power and at leastone charging contact for ground, are coupled to mating contacts on thedocking station when the barcode scanning device is positioned againstthe mating surface of the docking station. The magnetic structure is forholding the barcode scanning device against the mating surface of thedocking station. The barcode scanning device may also include apositioning structure for aligning the barcode scanning device againstthe mating surface of the docking station when the barcode scanningdevice is positioned against the mating surface of the docking station.The barcode scanning device may include a battery for supplyingoperating power for the barcode scanning device, and a chargingcircuitry configured to charge the battery when the barcode scanningdevice is coupled to an external power source.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a barcode readingsystem. The system may include a barcode scanning device and a hostcomputer. The barcode scanning device may include a housing with agenerally cylindrical portion sized to be held in an individual's handin a writing position, a capacitive tip positioned at a first end of thehousing for use as a stylus against a capacitive touch screen, a barcodereader positioned at a second end of the housing for reading a barcode,and a radio frequency (RF) system for providing a result of reading abarcode to a host computer. The host computer may include an RF systemfor receiving the result of reading the barcode from the barcode reader,and a touch panel user interface for receiving data input via contact ofthe capacitive tip against the capacitive touch screen, wherein the datainput is related to the result of reading the barcode. The host computermay include a docking station for charging the barcode scanning device.The docking station may include charging contacts and a holdingstructure. The charging contacts, including at least one chargingcontact for power and at least one charging contact for ground, arecoupled to mating contacts on the barcode scanning device when thebarcode scanning device is connected with the docking station. Theholding structure is for holding the barcode scanning device.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a case for ahand-held computing device. The case may include a body foraccommodating the hand-held computing device, a battery for providingoperating power to the hand-held computing device, and a docking mountfor securing a barcode reader to the body. The docking mount may includea mating surface against which the barcode reader is positioned forcharging, charging contacts, a magnetic structure, and a positioningstructure. The charging contacts, including at least one chargingcontact for power and at least one charging contact for ground, arecoupled to mating contacts on the barcode reader when the barcode readeris positioned against the mating surface. The magnetic structure is forholding the barcode reader against the mating surface. The positioningstructure is for aligning the barcode reader against the mating surfacewhen the barcode reader is positioned against the mating surface.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a barcode readingsystem. The system may include a ring, a wrist watch, and a connectionbetween the ring and the wrist watch. The ring may include a scan headfor scanning a barcode in a field of view of the scan head. The wristwatch is in communication with the ring and configured to process datareceived from the ring. The wrist watch may include a battery forproviding operating power for the scan head through the connection.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a ring-type barcodereader, comprising a ring-shaped body, a scan head included in thering-shaped body for reading a barcode in a field of view of the scanhead, and a connection for sending data to, and receiving operatingpower from, a wrist watch.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a wrist watch,comprising a connection for communication with a ring-type barcodereader and receiving data from the ring-type barcode reader, a battery,and a wireless interface for communicating with a host computer.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a mobile computingdevice. The mobile computing device may include a touch screen, abattery for providing operating power for the mobile computing device,and a docking station for securing a barcode reader. The docking stationmay include a second battery, master charging contacts, a mastercharging circuitry, and a barcode reader charging circuitry. The mastercharging contacts include at least one master charging contact for powerand at least one master charging contact for ground. The master chargingcircuitry is coupled between the second battery and the master chargingcontacts and configured to charge the second battery when the mastercharging contacts are coupled to a power source. The barcode readercharging circuitry is coupled between the second battery and thecharging contacts and configured to provide charging power from thesecond battery to the barcode reader when the charging contacts arecoupled to the mating contacts on the barcode reader. The dockingstation may include a mating surface against which the barcode reader ispositioned for charging, charging contacts, a magnetic structure, and apositioning structure. The charging contacts including at least onecharging contact for power and at least one charging contact for groundare coupled to mating contacts on the barcode reader when the barcodereader is positioned against the mating surface. The magnetic structureis for holding the barcode reader against the mating surface. Thepositioning structure is for aligning the barcode reader against themating surface when the barcode reader is positioned against the matingsurface.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a barcode reader. Thebarcode reader may include an eyeglass frame, a barcode reader includinga camera installed on the eyeglass frame for reading a barcode in afield of view of the camera, and a battery for providing operating powerfor the barcode reader. The barcode reader may include a pointing devicefor aiding a user to aim the camera at the barcode.

A number of features are described herein with respect to embodiments ofthe invention. It will be appreciated that features described withrespect to a given embodiment may also be employed in connection withother embodiments.

The invention includes the features described herein, including thedescription, the annexed drawings, and, if appended, the claims, whichset forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments. These embodimentsare indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which theprinciples of the invention may be employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an example of a stylus barcode reader inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-C illustrate an example of a stylus barcode reader with abarcode reader rotatably secured at one end of the stylus barcodereader.

FIG. 3A depicts use of the stylus barcode reader shown in FIGS. 1A and1B against a touch screen of a tablet or a smart phone.

FIG. 3B depicts various ways in which the capacitive tip of the stylusbarcode reader may be used to select applications, workflow screens anddata fields.

FIG. 4 shows the stylus barcode reader of FIGS. 1A and 1B and an exampleof a docking station for charging the stylus barcode reader.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate top and side views of another exemplarydocking station with a stylus barcode reader docked in for charging.

FIG. 6 illustrates front and rear views of an example of a case for ahand-held computing device with a docking mount to hold a stylus barcodereader on the back surface of the case.

FIG. 7 shows a diagram of a case for a hand-held computing device inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate rear and side views of an example of a casewith a stylus barcode reader held in a docking mount on the rear surfaceof the case.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an electronic device case with adetachable battery.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a docking station having a well fordocking a stylus barcode reader.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a stylus barcode reader and a dockingstation secured in a chest pocket of a shirt with the stylus barcodereader docked in for charging.

FIG. 12 illustrates, as an example, a docking station secured to anindividual using a belt.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a case for a hand-held computing device witha well for charging a stylus barcode reader.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a flat docking station.

FIG. 15A illustrates an example of a mouse-shaped barcode reader withcharging contacts on a bottom surface.

FIG. 15B illustrates a bottom view of the mouse-shaped barcode reader.

FIG. 15C illustrates top, side, and front views of an exemplary combinedmouse barcode reader.

FIG. 16 illustrates a ring reader and a wrist watch connected by a wirein accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of an eyeglass barcode reader.

FIG. 18A is a block diagram of a barcode reader system which may beimplemented in any of the embodiments of the barcode readers disclosedherein.

FIG. 18B depicts exemplary operation of the decoder in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 18C shows the interface between the image sensor system package andthe image capture control and decode system.

FIG. 18D represents an exemplary operation of certain components of thebarcode reader in accordance with one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 19A is a ladder diagram representing an authentication procedurefor authenticating a barcode reader to a host computer as a trustedaccessory in accordance with one embodiment.

FIGS. 19B and 19C depict example packet formats for communicationbetween a barcode reader and a host computer.

FIGS. 20A and 20B depict exemplary operation of the barcode reader, thedocking station, and the host computer.

FIGS. 21A and 21B depict another exemplary operation of the barcodereader, the docking station, and the host computer.

FIG. 22 is a top-down view of a barcode reader in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 23A-23E are front views of an optical substrate within the barcodereader shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with different embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 24A-24F illustrate cross-sectional views of the optical substrate,taken along line A-A in FIGS. 23A-23C in accordance with differentembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 25A-25C are cross-sectional views of the optical substrate inaccordance with alternative embodiments.

FIG. 26 is a top-down view of a barcode reader in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 27 is a top-down view of a barcode reader in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 28 is a top-down view of a barcode reader in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 29A-29B are cross-sectional views of tertiary light sourcesilluminating the optical substrate in accordance with some embodimentsof the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an example of a barcode reader 1100 inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the barcodereader being in the form of a stylus barcode reader.

The stylus barcode reader 1100 includes an elongated housing 1102. Theelongated housing 1102 includes a first portion 1102 a extending from acentral point 1103 of the housing to a first end 1103 a and a secondportion 1102 b extending from the central point 1103 to a second end1103 b. The first portion 1102 a may be generally cylindrical with adiameter on the order of 5 to 10 mm that is approximately the diameterof a pen and is configured to be held by an operator in the same manneras an operator would hold a pen for writing. The second portion 1102 bmay also be generally cylindrical but may be of a larger diameter suchthat its interior region may be of sufficient size to accommodate thecomponents of a barcode reader as discussed herein. The barcode reader1100 may include a capacitive tip 1104 positioned at the first end 1103a of the housing 1102 for use as a stylus against a capacitive touchscreen when an operator is holding the housing 1102 (holding the firstportion 1102 a) in a writing position.

A barcode reader 1106 may be positioned at the second end 1103 b of thehousing 1102 and may be used for reading barcodes. The barcode reader1106 may be a laser reader or an imaging-based barcode reader whichincludes illumination light-emitting diodes (LEDs), targeting LEDs, alens for focusing an image onto a photo sensor, readout circuitry andcircuitry to deliver image data to a decoder, which will be explained indetail below.

The housing 1102 of the stylus barcode reader 1100 may also include atrigger button 1108, a good read signal indicator 1110, a battery 1114within the housing 1102, and a plurality of charging contacts 1112.

The trigger button 1108, if pressed by a user, triggers reading of abarcode presented in a field of view of a camera of the barcode reader1106. The good read signal indicator 1110 indicates successful readingand decoding of the barcode.

The charging contacts 1112 are for providing charging power to thebattery 1114 when coupled to mating contacts (e.g., charging contacts1312 in FIG. 4) on a docking station (e.g., the docking station 1300 inFIG. 4). The charging contacts 1112 include at least one chargingcontact for power and at least one charging contact for ground. Thecharging contacts 1112 are coupled to mating contacts on the dockingstation when a mating surface 1120 of the stylus barcode reader 1100 ispositioned against a corresponding mating surface (e.g., the surface1320 in FIG. 4) of the docking station.

In one embodiment the battery 1114 may be a rechargeable battery such asa lithium ion battery which provides operating power for the barcodereader 1100 (including any wireless communication systems therein) forextended operation of the barcode reader 1100. Extended operation meansthat an operator may utilize the barcode reader 1100 for multiple scansduring work flow that may last several hours.

In another embodiment, the battery 1114 may be a rechargeable battery ora super capacitor which provides operating power for the barcode reader1100 for a limited number of barcode reads and storage of decoded datawithin the barcode reader 1100 for subsequent transfer to a dockingstation. The limited number of barcode reads may be less than 10 barcodereads, at which time the battery 1114 may have insufficient power foradditional barcode reads. Transfer of decoded data to the dockingstation may require power coupled from the docking station to thebarcode reader upon docking.

In each case, the battery 1114 may be charged through the chargingcircuitry included in the stylus barcode reader 1100 when the stylusbarcode reader 1100 is coupled to a docking station.

The charging contacts 1112 may be power/data contacts which also providepower/data connectivity to a host device, for example, by using two orfour contacts. The terms charging contacts and power/data contacts areused interchangeably. Data related to decoding of a barcode may betransferred via the charging contacts 1112. The power/data connectivitymay be in compliance with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol. Thestylus barcode reader 1100 may include radio frequency (RF) circuitryfor sending image data or decoded data of a barcode to a remote host.

The stylus barcode reader 1100 may further include a magnetic structure1116 (e.g., one or more magnets) for holding the stylus barcode reader1100 against a mating surface (e.g., the surface 1320 in FIG. 4) of thedocking station when docked for charging. The charging contacts 1112 maybe associated with the magnetic structure 1116 to provide a sharp snapwhen the stylus barcode reader 1100 is mated to the docking station aswill be discussed in more detail herein.

The barcode reader 1106 may have a field of view extending along alongitudinal axis of the housing 1102. Alternatively, the barcode reader1106 may have a field of view adjustable with respect to the housing1102. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the barcode reader 1106 may be rotatableabout a longitudinal axis of the housing 1102 to adjust the field ofview. FIG. 2B shows the barcode reader 1106 with a half turn and FIG. 2Cshows the barcode reader 1106 with a full turn. The barcode reader 1106may be connected to the housing 1102 with a swivel part and theconnecting surfaces of the barcode reader 1106 and the housing 1102 areslanted such that the field of view of the barcode reader 1106 may beadjusted by rotating the barcode reader 1106 about the axis of thehousing 1102.

Alternatively, the barcode reader 1106 may be rotatable about an axisdifferent from a longitudinal axis of the housing 1102 to adjust thefield of view. The barcode reader may be rotatable about an axisperpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the housing 1102. The barcodereader 1106 may be connected to the housing 1102 with a hinge 2140 asshown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 3A depicts using the stylus barcode reader 1100 in use with a touchscreen of a computing device, such as a tablet, a smart phone, or thelike. The stylus barcode reader 1100 may be gripped by an operator(i.e., gripping the first portion 1102 a in the same manner as grippinga pen) and used as a stylus with the capacitive tip 1104 against thetouch screen as shown in FIG. 3A. The capacitive tip 1104 may bereplaceable and may be replaceable in different sizes depending on anapplication.

Turning to FIG. 3B in conjunction with FIG. 3A, the capacitive tip 1104at the first end 1103 a may be utilized to, any of: i) select one ofmultiple applications 1124 into which barcode data is to be input asdepicted on the display screen of a computing device 1122 a; ii) selectone of multiple workflow screens or pages 1126 within an applicationinto which barcode data is to be input as depicted on the display screenof a computing device 1122 b; and iii) select one of multiple datafields 1128 within an application into which barcode data is to be inputas depicted on the display screen of a computing device 1122 c.

Docking Station

FIG. 4 depicts a first embodiment of a docking station 1300 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, structured as acradle style docking station for the stylus barcode reader 1100. Thedocking station 1300 may provide for charging the stylus barcode reader1100 and/or interfacing data between the stylus barcode reader 1100 anda host computer 1331.

The cradle style docking station 1300 includes a partially openbarrel-shaped component 1311 and a base 1330. The partially openbarrel-shaped component 1311 may have a diameter being of the same sizeas the diameter of the second portion 1102 b of the barcode reader 1100.The open portion of the barrel-shaped component 1311 may be at least 180degrees (e.g. the spacing of the open portion is at least the diameterof the second portion 1102 b of the barcode reader 1100) such that thebarcode reader 1100 may be inserted into the open portion in thedirection of arrow 1315. The base 1330 supports the partially openbarrel-shaped component 1311 and supports a tip component 1317. The tipcomponent 1317 supports the capacitive tip 1104 when the barcode reader1100 is positioned within the partially open barrel-shaped component1311 and ensures that the reader 1100 is correctly positioned within thepartially open barrel-shaped component 1311 in the longitudinaldirection.

The interior of the barrel-shaped component 1311 may include a pluralityof charging/data contacts 1312. The charging/data contacts 1312 mayinclude at least one charging contact for power and at least onecharging contact for ground. If the docking station 1300 is furtherutilized for communication between the barcode reader 1100 and a hostcomputer 1331 the charging/data contacts 1312 may further include twodata contacts and the combination of the two data contacts and the powerand ground contacts may comply with the USB standard.

The charging/data contacts 1312 are coupled to corresponding chargingcontacts 1112 on the stylus barcode reader 1100 when the stylus barcodereader 1100 is positioned within the partially open barrel-shapedcomponent 1311, against a mating surface 1320 of the partially openbarrel-shaped component 1311, and longitudinally positioned with thecapacitive tip 1104 positioned within the tip component 1317.

The base 1330 may be configured to place the docking station 1300 on ahorizontal surface (e.g., on a desk). In this case, the stylus barcodereader 1100 is positioned on top of the docking station 1300 when thedocking station 1300 is positioned on the horizontal surface.Alternatively, the base 1330 may be configured to secure the dockingstation 1300 to a vertical surface. In that case, the mating surface1320 may be generally vertical when the docking station 1300 is securedto the vertical surface, and a shape of the mating surface 1320 or thepositioning structure may be adapted to support a weight of the stylusbarcode reader 1100 when the stylus barcode reader 1100 is held againstthe mating surface 1320, for example, by the magnetic structure 1316.

The docking station 1300 may include a positioning structure forgenerally guiding alignment of the stylus barcode reader 1100 towardsthe mating surface 1320 of the docking station and, more specifically,generally guiding alignment of the stylus barcode reader 1100 towardsthe mating surface 1320 to a point where the magnetic fields (describedherein) are able to take effect and provide precise alignment of thestylus barcode reader 1100 with the mating surface 1320 in a manner inwhich the charging contacts 1112 of the stylus barcode reader 1100 alignwith, and are in contact with, the charging/data contacts 1312 of thedocking station 1300.

The positioning structure may be the sides of the partially openbarrel-shaped component 1311 and the distance between the partially openbarrel-shaped structure 1131 and the tip component 1317 which, incombination, guide the barcode reader 1100 into general alignment (inboth the lateral and longitudinal directions) between the chargingcontacts 1112 of the stylus barcode reader 1100 and the charging/datacontacts 1312 of the docking station 1300. In more detail, generalalignment is a position wherein the stylus barcode reader 1100 isattracted to the mating surface 1320 by the magnetic field of the firstmagnet of the stylus barcode reader 1100 being attracted to the magneticfield of the first magnet of the docking station 1300 and the magneticfield of the second magnet of the stylus barcode reader 1100 beingattracted to the magnetic field of the second magnet of the dockingstation 1300. The magnetic field may rotate and/or displace the stylusbarcode reader 1100 (laterally or longitudinally) into alignment withthe mating surface 1320 of the docking station 1300.

The positioning structure may include a cross section at a base end ofthe positioning structure adjacent to the mating surface 1320 that islarger than a cross section at a distal end of the positioning structurespaced away from the mating surface 1320. When the barcode reader isimprecisely aligned with the distal end, the positioning structureguides the barcode reader into precise alignment with the base end whenthe barcode reader is positioned against the mating surface 1320.

Referring to FIG. 1A in conjunction with FIG. 4, magnetic polarity maybe used to ensure that correct charging contacts on the stylus barcodereader 1100 align with correct charging/data contacts 1312 on thedocking station 1300 and provide the sharp snap to indicate that thestylus barcode reader 1100 is correctly mated to the docking station1300.

The barcode reader 1100 may include a magnetic structure 1116, which maybe two magnets, positioned adjacent to at least one of the chargingcontacts 1112. A first magnet may have a first polarity directed towardsthe mating surface 1320 of the docking station 1300 when the stylusbarcode reader 1100 is positioned against the mating surface 1320 of thedocking station 1300, and a second magnet may have an opposing polaritydirected towards the mating surface 1320 of the docking station 1300when the stylus barcode reader 1100 is positioned against the matingsurface 1320 of the docking station.

The docking station 1300 may also include a corresponding magneticstructure 1316 (e.g., a first magnet with the opposing polarity and asecond magnet with the first polarity), such that the stylus barcodereader 1100 may be i) attracted to and positioned against the matingsurface 1320 of the docking station 1300 when a magnetic field of thefirst magnet of the stylus barcode reader 1100 is attracted to amagnetic field of the first magnet of the docking station 1300 and amagnetic field of the second magnet of the stylus barcode reader 1100 isattracted to a magnetic field of the second magnet of the dockingstation 1300, and ii) repelled from being positioned against the matingsurface 1320 of the docking station 1300 when the magnetic field of thefirst magnet of the stylus barcode reader 1100 is repelled from themagnetic field of the second magnet of the docking station 1300 and themagnetic field of the second magnet of the stylus barcode reader 1100 isrepelled from the magnetic field of the first magnet of the dockingstation 1300. This attraction/repulsion dynamic provides for themagnetic field to position (both laterally and rotationally) the barcodereader 1100 within the docking station with the charging contacts 1112of the barcode reader properly aligned, and in contact with, thecharging contacts 1312 of the docking station 1300.

One (or one set) of a plurality of charging contacts (for examplecharging contacts 1112 on the barcode reader 1100) may be flat and theother (or the other set) of a plurality of charging contacts (forexample charging contacts 1312 on the docking station 1300) may be pinson a spring to apply pressure to the flat surface and maintain contact.The springs may have less power than the magnets such that the magnetsmay hold the two devices together while the springs hold the contactstogether.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate top and side views of another exemplarycradle style docking station 1400 with a stylus barcode reader 1100docked in for charging. The docking station 1400 may be placed on a flathorizontal surface and the stylus barcode reader 1100 may be charged byan external power source when docked in the docking station 1400.

FIG. 6 illustrates front and rear views of yet another exemplary dockingstation 1600 in accordance with the present disclosure. The dockingstation 1600 is configured as a case for a hand-held computing device.The docking station 1600 (i.e., case) may enclose, either partially orfully, a hand-held computing device 1700 (such as a smart phone, atablet, or the like). The stylus barcode reader 1100 may be used with acomputing device 1700 (similar to computing devices depicted in FIGS. 3Aand 3B) having a touch screen while held in the case 1600 as shown inFIG. 6.

The docking station 1600 may include a body 1602 and a battery 1606(shown in FIG. 9). The body 1602 accommodates a hand-held computingdevice 1700.

The docking station 1600 includes a partially open barrel-shaped dockingmount 1604 to hold a stylus barcode reader 1100 on the rear side of thecase. Alternatively, the docking mount 1604 may be arranged on a side ofthe case 1600. The docking mount 1604 functions as a docking station forthe stylus barcode reader 1100 and may include some or all of thefeatures of the docking station 1300 disclosed above.

In more detail, the docking mount 1604 may include at least two chargingcontacts 1612 including at least one for power and at least one forground. The charging contacts 1612 of the docking mount 1604 are coupledto charging contacts 1112 on the stylus barcode reader 1100 when thestylus barcode reader 1100 is positioned against a mating surface 1620of the docking mount 1604 in a similar manner as described with respectto the docking station 1300 of FIG. 4.

Similar to the docking station 1300 of FIG. 4, the docking mount 1604may include a positioning structure for generally guiding alignment ofthe stylus barcode reader 1100 towards the mating surface 1620 of thedocking mount 1604 and, more specifically, generally guiding alignmentof the stylus barcode reader 1100 towards the mating surface 1620 to apoint where the magnetic fields (described herein) are able to takeeffect and provide precise alignment of the stylus barcode reader 1100with the mating surface 1620 in a manner in which the charging contacts1112 of the stylus barcode reader 1100 align with, and are in contactwith, the charging contacts 1612 of the docking mount 1604.

Similar to the docking station 1300 in FIG. 4, the positioning structuremay be the sides of the partially open barrel-shaped structure extendingoutward from the backside of the docking station 1600 (or side of thedocking station 1600) which guides the barcode reader 1100 into generalalignment between the charging contacts 1112 of the barcode reader 1100and the charging contacts 1612 of the docking mount 1604.

Further, for general longitudinal and rotational alignment, thepositioning structure may further include a ridge 1622 extended outwardfrom the mating surface 1620 and may be configured to engage with acavity or a recess 1125 formed in a housing 1102 of the stylus barcodereader 1100. The ridge 1622 may be smaller than the cavity to providegeneral alignment. Alternatively, the positioning structure may be acavity extending into the mating surface 1620 of the docking mount 1604,and a corresponding ridge may be formed on the mating surface 1120 ofthe stylus barcode reader 1100.

The positioning structure may include a cross section at a base end ofthe positioning structure adjacent to the mating surface 1620 which islarger than a cross section at a distal end of the positioning structurespaced away from the mating surface 1620 such that when the barcodereader is imprecisely aligned with the distal end the positioningstructure guides the barcode reader into precise alignment with the baseend when the barcode reader is positioned against the mating surface1620.

The docking mount 1604 may include a magnetic structure 1616 for holdingthe stylus barcode reader 1100 against the mating surface 1620. Themagnetic structure 1616 may include one or more magnets. For example,the magnetic structure 1616 may include a first magnet with a northpolarity directed towards the stylus barcode reader 1100 when the stylusbarcode reader 1100 is positioned against the mating surface 1620, and asecond magnet with a south polarity directed towards the stylus barcodereader 1100 when the stylus barcode reader 1100 is positioned againstthe mating surface 1620. The magnetic structure 1616 and the magneticstructure 1116 in the stylus barcode reader 1100 result in the stylusbarcode reader 1100 i) being attracted to and positioned against themating surface 1620 when a magnetic field of the first magnet of thestylus barcode reader 1100 is attracted to a magnetic field of the firstmagnet of the docking mount 1604 and a magnetic field of the secondmagnet of the stylus barcode reader 1100 is attracted to a magneticfield of the second magnet of the docking mount 1604, and ii) beingrepelled from being positioned against the mating surface 1620 when themagnetic field of the first magnet of the stylus barcode reader 1100 isrepelled from the magnetic field of the second magnet of the dockingmount 1604 and the magnetic field of the second magnet of the stylusbarcode reader 1100 is repelled from the magnetic field of the firstmagnet of the docking mount 1604.

FIG. 10 illustrates yet another exemplary docking station 2100 inaccordance with the present disclosure. The docking station 2100 isconfigured as a wearable docking station sized to fit within a typicalchest pocket of a shirt, or to be mounted in zone 2308 of a shoulderbelt 2306 or zone 2302 of a waste belt 2304, both as depicted in FIG.12.

The docking station 2100 may include a body 2113 which includes abattery 2300 and a partially open barrel-shaped docking mount 2114 tohold a stylus barcode reader 1100 on one of the sides of the case (shownfrom the front side, facing away from the user when worn in a chestpocket). The docking mount 2114 functions as a docking station for thestylus barcode reader 1100 and may include some or all of the featuresof the docking station 1300 disclosed above.

In more detail, the docking mount 2114 may include at least two chargingcontacts 2112 including at least one for power and at least one forground. The charging contacts 2112 of the docking mount 2114 are coupledto charging contacts 1112 on the stylus barcode reader 1100 when thestylus barcode reader 1100 is positioned against a mating surface 2111of the docking mount 2114 in a similar manner as described with respectto the docking station 1300 of FIG. 4.

Similar to the docking station 1300 of FIG. 4, the docking mount 2114may include a positioning structure for generally guiding alignment ofthe stylus barcode reader 1100 towards the mating surface 2111 of thedocking mount 2114 and, more specifically, generally guiding alignmentof the stylus barcode reader 1100 towards the mating surface 2111 to apoint where the magnetic fields (described herein) are able to takeeffect and provide precise alignment of the stylus barcode reader 1100with the mating surface 2111 in a manner in which the charging contacts1112 of the stylus barcode reader 1100 align with, and are in contactwith, the charging contacts 2112 of the docking mount 2114.

The positioning structure is similar to that described with respect todocking station 1300 and may include the sides 2118 a, 2118 b of thepartially open barrel-shaped structure which guides the barcode reader1100 into general alignment between the charging contacts 1112 of thebarcode reader 1100 and the charging contacts 2112 of the docking mount2114.

Further, for general longitudinal and rotational alignment, thepositioning structure may further include a ridge 2120 extended outwardfrom the mating surface 2111 and may be configured to engage with acavity or a recess 1125 formed in a housing 1102 of the stylus barcodereader 1100. The ridge 2120 may be smaller than the cavity or recess1125 to provide general alignment. Alternatively, the positioningstructure may be a cavity extending into the mating surface 2111 of thedocking mount 2114, and a corresponding ridge may be formed in thehousing 1102 of the stylus barcode reader 1100.

The docking mount 2114 may include a magnetic structure 2116 similar tothat described with respect to the docking station 1300 of FIG. 4 forholding the stylus barcode reader 1100 against the mating surface 2111.The magnetic structure 2116 may include one or more magnets. Forexample, the magnetic structure 2116 may include a first magnet 2116 awith a north polarity directed towards the stylus barcode reader 1100when the stylus barcode reader 1100 is positioned against the matingsurface 2111, and a second magnet 2116 b with a south polarity directedtowards the stylus barcode reader 1100 when the stylus barcode reader1100 is positioned against the mating surface 2111. The magneticstructure 2116 and the magnetic structure 1116 in the stylus barcodereader 1100 result in the stylus barcode reader 1100 i) being attractedto and positioned against the mating surface 2111 when a magnetic fieldof the first magnet of the stylus barcode reader 1100 is attracted to amagnetic field of the first magnet of the docking mount 2114 and amagnetic field of the second magnet of the stylus barcode reader 1100 isattracted to a magnetic field of the second magnet of the docking mount2114, and ii) being repelled from being positioned against the matingsurface 2111 when the magnetic field of the first magnet of the stylusbarcode reader 1100 is repelled from the magnetic field of the secondmagnet of the docking mount 2114 and the magnetic field of the secondmagnet of the stylus barcode reader 1100 is repelled from the magneticfield of the first magnet of the docking mount 2114.

FIG. 13 depicts yet another embodiment of a docking station 2000 inaccordance with the present disclosure. Like docking station 2100 ofFIG. 10, docking station 2000 is configured as a wearable dockingstation sized to fit within a typical chest pocket of a shirt, or to bemounted in zone 2308 of the shoulder belt 2306 or zone 2302 of the wastebelt 2304, both as depicted in FIG. 12.

The docking station 2000 includes a docking well 2010 which may beformed in the body 2002 of the docking station 2000. The stylus barcodereader 1100 may be inserted into the well 2010. The well 2010 includescharging contacts 2012 for charging the stylus barcode reader 1100 whenthe stylus barcode reader 1100 is inserted into the well 2010.

The well 2010 includes a cavity 2011 and a plurality of chargingcontacts 2012 on the interior periphery of the cavity 2011. A stylusbarcode reader 1100 is inserted into the cavity 2011 for charging. Thecharging contacts 2012 include at least one contact for power and atleast one contact for ground. The charging contacts 2012 are configuredfor coupling to charging contacts 1112 on the stylus barcode reader 1100when the stylus barcode reader 1100 is positioned in the cavity 2011 ata correct depth and with a correct rotation.

The well 2010 and the stylus barcode reader 1100 may include positioningstructure for generally guiding alignment of the stylus barcode reader1100 towards the well 2010 of the docking station 2000, morespecifically, guiding generally alignment of the charging contacts 1112of the stylus barcode reader 1100 towards the charging contacts 2012 ofthe well 2010 to a point where the magnetic fields (described herein)are able to take effect and provide precise alignment of the stylusbarcode reader 1100 within the well 2010 such that the charging contacts1112 of the stylus barcode reader 1100 align with, and are in contactwith, the charging contacts 2012 of the well 2010.

The positioning structure may be: i) the sides of the perimeter of thecavity 2011 (with a cross section larger than the diameter of the firstportion 1102 a of the barcode reader 1100) and the depth 2018 of thecavity 2011; and the external housing of the barcode reader 1100 as wellas the distance between the capacitive tip 1104 and the chargingcontacts 1112. In combination, the positioning structure guides thebarcode reader 1100 into general alignment into the cavity 2011 to adepth at which the capacitive tip 1104 touches the bottom of the cavityand at which point the charging contacts 1112 of the barcode reader 1100are aligned (in the depth dimension) with the charging contacts 2012 onthe well 2010 of the docking station 2000.

The well 2010 may further include a magnetic structure 2016 for rotatinginto rotational position, and holding the stylus barcode reader 1100 ata position within the cavity 2011 such that the charging contacts 1112on the stylus barcode reader 1100 are in contact with the chargingcontacts 2012. The magnetic structure 2016 may include one or moremagnets. For example, the magnetic structure 2016 may include a firstmagnet 2016 a with a north polarity directed towards the stylus barcodereader 1100 when the stylus barcode reader 1100 is positioned within thecavity 2011, and a second magnet 2016 b with a south polarity directedtowards the stylus barcode reader 1100 when the stylus barcode reader1100 is positioned within the cavity 2011. Corresponding magnets withinthe stylus barcode reader 1100, including a first magnet with a southpolarity and a second magnet with a north polarity, may result in thestylus barcode reader 1100 i) being attracted to and positioned withinthe cavity 2011 with the charging contacts 1112 on the stylus barcodereader 1100 in contact with the charging contacts 2012 when a magneticfield of the first magnet of the stylus barcode reader 1100 is attractedto a magnetic field of the first magnet of the well 2010 and a magneticfield of the second magnet of the stylus barcode reader 1100 isattracted to a magnetic field of the second magnet of the well 2010, andii) being repelled from being positioned within the cavity 2011 with thecharging contacts 1112 on the stylus barcode reader 1100 in contact withthe charging contacts 2012 when the magnetic field of the first magnetof the stylus barcode reader 1100 is repelled from the magnetic field ofthe second magnet of the well 2010 and the magnetic field of the secondmagnet of the stylus barcode reader 1100 is repelled from the magneticfield of the first magnet of the well 2010. As such, theattraction/repulsion forces will rotate the stylus into alignment andprovide the sharp snap as the magnets make contact.

In other embodiments, the positioning structure may be a structureextending outward from a surface defining an entrance to the cavity2011. The structure may be configured to engage with a correspondingpositioning structure of the stylus barcode reader 1100.

Alternatively, the positioning structure may be a recess extendinginward from a surface defining an entrance to the cavity 2011. Therecess may be configured to engage with a corresponding positioningstructure of the stylus barcode reader 1100.

The positioning structure may further be configured to rotate the stylusbarcode reader 1100 within the cavity 2011 when the stylus barcodereader 1100 is inserted into the cavity 2011 such that the chargingcontacts 1112 on the stylus barcode reader 1100 are generally alignedwith the charging contacts 2012.

The docking stations 1600, 2000 may be secured to an individual using anattachment feature. The attachment feature may be a waist belt, ashoulder belt, a flexible band, or a flexible strap. Alternatively, theattachment feature may be one of a clip, a safety pin and claspcombination, a flange for being sewn into an article of clothing, or anyother means.

Referring to FIG. 7, the docking station 1600 (i.e., a case) and each ofthe wearable docking stations 2000, 2100, and 2400 (as shown in FIG. 14)may include structure depicted in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 depicts the structureembodied in the docking station 1600 for illustration purposes and thestructure will be explained hereafter with reference to the dockingstation 1600. However, it should be noted that the docking stations2000, 2100 and 2400 may also have a similar structure as depicted inFIG. 7. The docking station 1600 may include a master battery 1606 (alsorepresented as 2300 in FIG. 10), master charging contacts 1632, a mastercharging circuitry 1630, and a device charging circuitry 1634.

The master charging contacts 1632 may include at least one mastercharging contact for power and at least one master charging contact forground.

The master charging circuitry 1630 is coupled between the master battery1606 and the master charging contacts 1632 and is configured to chargethe master battery 1606 when the master charging contacts 1632 arecoupled to an external power source (e.g., AC power through a walloutlet or a docking station for the case).

The master battery 1606 included in the docking station 1600 may: i)supply power to the other systems of the docking station as described inmore detail in FIGS. 20A, 20B, 21A and 21B; and/or ii) supply power tothe stylus barcode reader 1100 when docked to the docking station 1600.The master battery 1606 may be rechargeable and may be detachable andreplaceable as shown in FIG. 9.

The device charging circuitry 1634 is coupled between the master battery1606 and the charging contacts 1612 in the docking mount 1604 and mayprovide charging power from the master battery 1606 to the stylusbarcode reader 1100 when the stylus barcode reader 1100 is docked in thedocking mount 1604 (i.e., when the charging contacts 1612 are coupled tocorresponding charging contacts 1112 on the stylus barcode reader 1100).

The case 1600 may further include a trigger button 1640 on the body 1602to trigger scanning of a barcode when the stylus barcode reader 1100 isdocked in the docking mount 1604.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate a perspective view and a bottom view of yetanother exemplary barcode reader 2500 in accordance with the presentdisclosure. The barcode reader 2500 is a mouse-shaped barcode readerwith charging contacts on a bottom surface (as illustrated in FIG. 15B).FIG. 14 illustrates yet another example of a docking station 2400 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure that may be usedwith the mouse-shaped barcode reader 2500.

FIG. 15C illustrates top, side, and front views of an exemplary combinedmouse barcode reader 1500. The combined mouse barcode reader 1500 mayinclude a track ball 1502 and/or a roller wheel 1504 for scrolling ascreen and moving a cursor as in a conventional computer mouse. Thecombined mouse barcode reader 1500 may have one or more push buttons1506 (e.g., two push buttons). The push button(s) 1506 may be used totrigger capturing a barcode presented in a field of view of the cameraincluded in the mouse barcode reader 1500. The combined mouse barcodereader 1500 may function as a handheld barcode reader and may be used ona flat surface like a traditional computer mouse. The combined mousebarcode reader 1500 may function both as a hand-held barcode reader andas a computer mouse.

The docking station 2400 shown in FIG. 14 is a wearable flat dockingstation 2400 which again may be configured as a wearable docking stationsized to fit within a typical chest pocket of a shirt, or to be mountedin zone 2308 of shoulder belt 2306 or zone 2302 of a waste belt 2304,both as depicted in FIG. 12.

The docking station 2400 includes a mating surface 2402 and chargingcontacts 2412. The mating surface 2402 is a surface against which abarcode reader 2500 (shown in FIG. 15A) is positioned for charging. Thecharging contacts 2412 include at least one charging contact for powerand at least one charging contact for ground. The charging contacts 2412are coupled to charging contacts 2512 on the barcode reader 2500 whenthe barcode reader 2500 is positioned against the mating surface 2402.

The docking station 2400 and barcode reader 2500 may include apositioning structure. The positioning structure of the barcode reader2500 may include a cavity cross section at a base end of the positioningstructure adjacent to the mating surface 2111 which is larger than across section at a distal end of the positioning structure spaced awayfrom the mating surface 2111 (into the interior of the barcode reader2500) such that when the barcode reader 2500 is imprecisely aligned withthe distal end with protrusions on the docking station 2400, thepositioning structure may guide the barcode reader 2500 into precisealignment against the mating surface (e.g., the surface 2402) of thedocking station (e.g., the docking station 2400).

The docking station 2400 may include a magnetic structure 2416 (e.g.,magnets) for holding the barcode reader 2500 against the mating surface2402. For example, the magnetic structure 2416 may include a firstmagnet with a north polarity directed towards the barcode reader 2500when the barcode reader 2500 is positioned against the mating surface2402, and a second magnet with a south polarity directed towards thebarcode reader 2500 when the barcode reader 2500 is positioned againstthe mating surface 2402. Corresponding magnets within the barcode reader2500, including a first magnet with a south polarity and a second magnetwith a north polarity, may result in the barcode reader 2500 i) beingattracted to and positioned against the mating surface 2402 of thedocking station 2400 when a magnetic field of the first magnet of thebarcode reader 2500 is attracted to a magnetic field of the first magnetof the docking station 2400 and a magnetic field of the second magnet ofthe barcode reader 2500 is attracted to a magnetic field of the secondmagnet of the docking station 2400, and ii) being repelled from beingpositioned against the mating surface 2402 of the docking station 2400when the magnetic field of the first magnet of the barcode reader 2500is repelled from the magnetic field of the second magnet of the dockingstation 2400 and the magnetic field of the second magnet of the barcodereader 2500 is repelled from the magnetic field of the first magnet ofthe docking station 2400.

The docking station 2400 may include a positioning structure foraligning the barcode reader 2500 against the mating surface 2402 whenthe barcode reader 2500 is positioned against the mating surface 2402.For example, the positioning structure may be configured to rotate thebarcode reader 2500 into alignment against the mating surface 2402 whenthe barcode reader 2500 is attracted to the mating surface 2402 by themagnetic field of the first magnet of the barcode reader 2500 beingattracted to the magnetic field of the first magnet of the dockingstation 2400 and the magnetic field of the second magnet of the barcodereader 2500 being attracted to the magnetic field of the second magnetof the docking station 2400.

The positioning structure may be configured to laterally displace thebarcode reader 2500 into alignment against the mating surface 2402 whenthe barcode reader 2500 is attracted to the mating surface 2402 by themagnetic field of the first magnet of the barcode reader 2500 beingattracted to the magnetic field of the first magnet of the dockingstation 2400 and the magnetic field of the second magnet of the barcodereader 2500 being attracted to the magnetic field of the second magnetof the docking station 2400.

The positioning structure may be a structure (e.g., a ridge) extendingoutward from the mating surface 2402 and configured to engage with anexternal housing of the barcode reader 2500. The positioning structuremay extend outward from the mating surface 2402 to engage with a cavityor a recess formed in a housing of the barcode reader 2500.

Alternatively, the positioning structure may be a cavity extending intoa housing of the docking station 2400 from the mating surface 2402 toengage with an external housing of the barcode reader 2500.

The docking station 2400 may include a battery (not shown) for chargingthe barcode reader 2500 docked in the docking station 2400. The dockingstation 2400 may include master charging contacts, a master chargingcircuit, and a device charging circuit, similar to the configurationshown in FIG. 7. The master charging contacts include at least onemaster charging contact for power and at least one master chargingcontact for ground. The master charging circuitry is coupled between thebattery and the master charging contacts and configured to charge thebattery when the master charging contacts are coupled to an externalpower source. The device charging circuitry is coupled between thebattery and the charging contacts and configured to provide chargingpower from the battery to the barcode reader 2500 when the chargingcontacts 2412 are coupled to the charging contacts 2512 on the barcodereader 2500.

The mouse-shaped barcode reader 2500 includes a barcode reading unit2510, a battery 2514 and charging contacts 2512 on the bottom surface2502. The mouse-shaped barcode reader 2500 with a flat bottom surface2502 can be docked in a flat docking station 2400 shown in FIG. 14. Itshould be noted that the shape of the barcode reader 2500 is provided asan example and the barcode reader 2500 may be in any shape.

The barcode reading unit 2510 is for reading a barcode presented in afield of view of the barcode reading unit 2510. The battery 2514supplies operating power for the barcode reading unit 2510. The barcodereader 2500 has a flat bottom surface 2502 (i.e., a mating surface)configured to position against a corresponding mating surface 2402 of adocking station 2400 when the barcode reader 2500 is positioned on thedocking station 2400 for charging.

The charging contacts 2512 include at least one charging contact forpower and at least one charging contact for ground. The chargingcontacts 2512 are coupled to charging contacts 2412 on the dockingstation 2400 when the barcode reader 2500 is positioned against themating surface 2402 of the docking station 2400.

The barcode reader 2500 may include a magnetic structure 2516 (e.g.,magnets) for holding the barcode reader 2500 against the mating surface2402 of the docking station 2400. The barcode reader 2500 may include apositioning structure for aligning the barcode reader 2500 against themating surface 2402 of the docking station 2400 when the barcode reader2500 is positioned against the mating surface 2402 of the dockingstation 2400. The magnetic structure and the positioning structure ofthe barcode reader 2500 are structures corresponding to the magneticstructure and the positioning structure of the docking station 2400. Thepositioning structure may be a periphery of a housing of the barcodereader 2500 to be engaged with an extension formed around an edge of themating surface 2402 of the docking station 2400.

The barcode reader 2500 may include a radio frequency (RF) circuitry forsending image data or decoded data of a barcode to a remote host. Thebarcode reader 2500 may include a trigger button for triggeringcapturing of an image of a barcode. The barcode reader 2500 may includean indicator signal generator for generating a signal indicating asuccessful reading of a barcode. The barcode reader 2500 may be in acomputer mouse shape, or in any other shape with a flat mating surface.

FIG. 16 illustrates a ring reader and a wrist watch connected by a wire.The ring reader 2610 includes a ring-shaped body 2612 and a scan head2614 included in the ring-shaped body 2612 for scanning a barcode in afield of view of the scan head 2614.

The wrist watch 2620 is in communication with the ring reader 2610 andconfigured to process data received from the ring reader 2610. The ringreader 2610 and the wrist watch 2620 may be connected via a wireconnection 2630 for communicating data between the ring reader 2610 andthe wrist watch 2620. Alternatively, a wireless connection may beestablished between the ring reader 2610 and the wrist watch 2620. Thewrist watch 2620 may include a wireless interface for communicating witha host computer using a wireless protocol, such as IEEE 802.11 WiFi orBluetooth.

The wrist watch 2620 includes a battery 2642 for providing operatingpower for the scan head 2614 through the wire connection 2630. Thebattery 2642 may be included in a band 2640 of the wrist watch 2620. Thewire connection 2630 may be compatible with a Universal Serial Bus (USB)protocol.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of an eyeglass barcode reader. Thebarcode reader 2700 includes an eyeglass frame 2710, a barcode reader2720, and a battery 2730. The barcode reader 2720 includes a camera 2722installed on the eyeglass frame for reading a barcode in a field of viewof the camera 2722. The battery 2730 provides operating power for thebarcode reader 2720. The barcode reader 2700 may include a pointingdevice for aiding a user to aim the camera at the barcode. The pointingdevice may be a laser. The barcode reader 2720 may be configured to readthe barcode in response to a trigger signal. The barcode reader 2700 mayinclude a power/data interface for sending data to a host computer andreceiving power from a power source.

FIG. 18A is a block diagram of a barcode reader 1130 which may beimplemented in any of the barcode readers 1100, 2500, 2610, and 2720.The barcode reader 1130 may include an image capture control and decodesystem 1132 in combination with an image sensor system package 1134, anillumination system 1136, and various input/output (I/O) peripheralsystems 1138 in accordance with one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

The image sensor system package 1134 and the image capture control anddecode system 1132 may be included in two separate packages, each ofwhich may include one or more silicon dies that may include: i) aprocessor; ii) hardware circuits including digital signal processingand/or gate logic, and iii) memory. The processor may be a generalpurpose single or multi-die microprocessor (e.g., an ARM), a specialpurpose microprocessor (e.g., a digital signal processor (DSP)), amicrocontroller, a programmable gate array, etc. The processor may bereferred to as a central processing unit (CPU). The memory may be anycombination of non-volatile memory or storage and volatile memory orstorage. The non-volatile memory may include a combination of read-onlymemory (ROM) and/or flash memory.

The illumination system 1136 may include a plurality of illuminationsub-systems 1136 a-c, each having different illuminationcharacteristics. Some examples of different illumination characteristicsinclude the angle of illumination with respect to an optical axis, theintensity of illumination, the wavelength of illumination, diffusioncharacteristics of the illumination, the illumination profile which mayinclude the intensity of the illumination within a two dimensional planespaced from the barcode reader 1130 or the three dimensional shapewithin the field of view at which illumination emitted by theillumination sub-system has a predetermined intensity, etc.

The plurality of illumination sub-systems 1136 a-c may include a directbright field illumination system, for example, similar to the directbright field illumination sub-system (e.g., the secondary light source108) shown in FIG. 22, a diffuse bright field illumination sub-system,for example, similar to the diffuse bright field illumination sub-system105 shown in FIG. 22, and a dark field illumination sub-system, forexample, similar to the dark field illumination sub-system (e.g., thelight source 152) shown in FIG. 22.

It should be noted that the number of illumination sub-systems 1136 a-cshown in FIG. 18A and the characteristics of each illuminationsub-system disclosed herein are provided only as an example. In analternative configuration, a barcode reader may include more than three(or any number of) different illumination sub-systems, and theillumination sub-systems may provide illumination having differentillumination characteristics (e.g., by changing the intensity,wavelength, angle, diffusion characteristics of the illumination,illumination profile characteristics or the like).

The I/O peripheral systems 1138 may include the trigger button 1108which may be a switch. In addition, the barcode reader 1130 may have oneor more output devices that convey information to a user. Such outputdevices may include the a speaker 1139, a vibration motor 1140, and/orone or more components that illuminate in a manner visible to a user,such as one or more LEDs 1141 which illuminate the good read indicator1100 through a light pipe.

The I/O peripheral systems 18 may further include one or morecommunication interfaces 1142. The communication interfaces 1142 mayinclude a wireless LAN interface 1142 a and a point-to-point interface1142 b which may be a wireless point-to-point interface and/or ahardwired point-to-point interface coupled to the data portion of thepower/data contacts 1112, 2512.

The wireless LAN interface 1142 a may permit the barcode reader 1130 tobe an addressable endpoint in a wireless local area network andcommunicate with a host device through the LAN using, for example,Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) or the like.

The wireless point-to-point interface(s) 1142 b may be, for example, aBluetooth® interface to enable the barcode reader 1130 to establish awireless point-to-point communication link with, and communicate overthe wireless communication link with, a host device (i.e., a hostcomputer).

The hardwired point-to-point interface(s) 1142 b may comprise aUniversal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART) or a Universal SerialBus (USB) in each case to enable the barcode reader 1130 to establish apoint-to-point connection with a host device using a multi-conductordata interface through the data portion of the power/data contacts 1112,2512.

The image capture control and decode system 1132 may include: i) aprocessor 1144; ii) a memory 1146; and iii) hardware circuits 1148 forcoupling to, and driving operation of, each of the illumination system1136, the I/O peripheral systems 1138, and the image sensor systempackage 1134.

The processor 1144, as described, may be a general purpose single ormulti-die microprocessor (e.g., an ARM), a special purposemicroprocessor (e.g., a digital signal processor (DSP)), amicrocontroller, a programmable gate array, etc. The processor 1144 maybe referred to as a central processing unit (CPU). Although just asingle processor 1144 is shown in FIG. 18A, in an alternativeconfiguration, a combination of processors (e.g., an ARM and DSP) may beused.

The hardware circuits 1148 provide the interface between the imagecapture control and decode system 1132 and each of the illuminationsystem 1136, the I/O peripheral systems 1138, and the image sensorsystem package 1134. The hardware circuits 1148 may further includeillumination logic 1150 and pre-processing circuits 1151 a-n, each ofwhich will be described in more detail herein.

The memory 1146, as described, may be any combination of non-volatilememory or storage and volatile memory or storage. The memory 1146 mayinclude an image buffer 1157, an image processing module 1174, a decoder1175, and an image capture module 1176. These components may be storedin any combination of volatile and non-volatile memory. Some modules maybe stored in both volatile and non-volatile memory, for example, withpermanent storage of the module in non-volatile memory and a temporarycopy stored in volatile memory for execution by the processor 1144. Inaddition to, or as an alternative to, these modules, the memory 1146 maystore any number of other modules including but not limited to those setforth in the patent applications incorporated by reference in thisdisclosure. A more detailed description of the image capture control anddecode system 1132 is included herein.

The image sensor system package 1134 may include: i) a two-dimensionalphoto sensor array 1158 onto which illumination from the field of viewof the barcode reader is focused by the optic system 1154; ii) hardwaregate logic 1155 implementing one or more pre-processing circuits 1156a-n; iii) volatile memory or storage such as random access memoryimplementing an image buffer 1157; iv) hardware gate logic implementingwide bus logic 1198 for transferring each image frame captured by thephoto sensor array 1158 to the hardware gate logic 1155 (or the imagebuffer 1157); and v) control circuitry 1159 which may include acombination of gate logic, volatile memory or storage, a processorexecuting code stored in the memory implementing control of the photosensor array 1158 (image read-out), the wide bus logic 1198, thehardware gate logic 1155; the image buffer 1157, and transfer of imagedata records to the image capture control and decode system 1132.

The photo sensor array 1158 may comprise a two-dimensional rollingshutter array of pixels with each pixel comprising an activephotosensitive region capable of measuring or quantifying the intensityof illumination incident on the pixel fabricated, for example, usingknown complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor technology.Each pixel may be a photodiode which accumulates charge over theduration of an exposure period. Prior to commencement of the exposureperiod the photodiode may be coupled to ground to dissipate anaccumulated charge and the exposure period for the pixel may commencewhen the photodiode is de-coupled from ground so that a chargeaccumulates in proportion to the intensity of illumination incident onthe pixel. The charge on the photodiode continues to accumulate so longas illumination is incident on the photodiode. The exposure period endswhen the accumulated charge is measured by an analog-to-digital (A/D)converter 1160.

In one embodiment, the photodiode may couple to the input of an A/Dconverter 1160 when the control circuitry 1159 generates a read signaland, upon coupling of the photodiode to the A/D converter 1160, the A/Dconverter 1160 generates a digital value representative of theaccumulated charge at the time the photodiode is coupled to the A/Dconverter which is input to a register of the wide bus logic 1198 fortransfer to the hardware gate logic 1155 (or the image buffer 1157).

In another embodiment, the photodiode may be coupled to the input of anA/D converter 1160 prior to the end of the exposure period. In thisembodiment, the A/D converter 1160 may be continually making a digitalvalue representative of the accumulating charge available at its outputport with that digital value continually increasing as chargeaccumulates on the photodiode (i.e. periodically updating the digitalvalue to represent the increasing voltage as charge accumulates on thephotodiode). In this embodiment when the control circuitry 1159generates a read signal the then current digital value (at the time ofthe read signal) is read or input to a register of the wide bus logic1198 for transfer to the pre-processing circuits 1156 a-n (or the imagebuffer 1157).

In order to improve sensitivity of the photo sensor array 1158, thepixels may not include a masked charge storage region associated witheach photosensitive region for temporarily holding accumulated chargefrom the photodiode region prior to coupling the charge from thephotodiode to the A/D converter 1160. Directly coupling thephotosensitive region to the A/D converter 1160 means that there is nocharge storage region separate from the photodiode on which charge isaccumulating. Stated another way, in neither of the foregoingembodiments is the accumulated charge on the photodiode buffered, as ananalog charge or otherwise, prior to being coupled to the A/D converter1160. Stated in yet another way, in neither of the foregoing embodimentsis accumulation of the charge stopped, or the accumulated chargeotherwise made static (with no more accumulation) prior to being coupledto the A/D converter 1160.

More detail regarding the photo sensor array 1158 and its operation tocapture frames of image data is described in more detail in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/717,112 (Attorney Docket No. 3271-2-071).

The term “image frame,” as used herein, may be a full image frame, abinned image frame, a sub-sampled image frame, or a window of any of afull, binned, or sub-sampled image frame.

As used herein, the term “full image frame” refers to an image framethat is captured when an entire photo sensor array 1158 is exposed andread out. Thus, a full image frame may include pixels corresponding toall of the photo sensors in the photo sensor array 1158.

As used herein, the term “binned image frame” refers to an image framethat is captured by simultaneously combining the photodiodes formultiple adjacent pixels to a single A/C converter (effectively creatinga single pixel with a larger photosensitive region comprising thephotosensitive regions of the combined pixels, but an overall lowerresolution for the image frame). Common binning may include combininggroups of two adjacent pixels horizontally, groups of two adjacentpixels vertically, and two-by-two groups of pixels. The resolutionvalues of the image capture parameter values for an image frame that isto be captured as a binned image frame will define the binning (howadjacent pixels are to be grouped).

As used herein the term “sub-sampled image frame” refers to an imageframe that is captured at a lower resolution utilizing a pattern offewer than all of the pixels applied across the full photo sensor, forexample every second pixel or every fourth pixel. The used pixels areread out while the un-used pixels are not read out or the data isignored. The resolution values of the image capture parameter values foran image frame that is to be captured as a sub-sampled image frame willdefine the sub-sampling ratio of pixels which are read and used versusun-used pixels.

As used herein the term “a window of an image frame” refers to a portionof a full image frame, a binned image frame or a sub-sampled image framethat is smaller than the full photo sensor array image, either byvertical cropping, horizontal cropping, or both. The portions of thepixels outside of the cropping may not be read-out. The image captureparameter values for an image frame that is to be captured as a windowedimage frame (full, binned, or sub-sampled) will define the horizontaland vertical cropping, as applicable.

It should be appreciated that binning, subsampling, and windowing may beperformed by the image sensor array 1158 at read-out such that theresulting image frame (full, binned, sub-sampled, and/or windowed) isthe image frame input to the pre-processing circuits 1156 a-n.

To enable digital values representative of illumination on pixels to betransferred very quickly from the A/D converters 1160 to thepre-processing circuits 1156 a-n (or written directly to the imagebuffer 1157), the wide bus logic 1198 may transfer the digital intensityvalues from all A/D converters 1160 to the pre-processing circuits 1156a-n (or the image buffer 1157) in parallel (e.g. the same clockingcycles transfer all digital intensity values from all A/D converters1160 to the pre-processing circuits 1156 a-n (or the image buffer 1157)simultaneously).

Stated another way, the wide bus logic 1198 may include transfer logicmodules, each implementing a channel for transfer of a digital intensityvalue from an A/D converter 1160 to the pre-processing circuits 1156 a-n(or the image buffer 1157), with the quantity of transfer logic modulesbeing equal to the quantity of A/D converters, and with each distincttransfer logic module being coupled to the output of one distinct A/Dconverter. Stated yet another way, the wide bus logic 1198 may implementa digital intensity value transfer bus (from the A/D converters 1160 tothe pre-processing circuits 1156 a-n (or the image buffer 1157)) that isas wide as the number of A/D converters 1160.

Alternatively, the width of the wide bus logic 1198 may be 50% of thenumber of A/D converters 1160, in which case it would take two buscycles to transfer all digital intensity values from all A/D converters1160 to the pre-processing circuits 1156 a-n or to the image buffer1157. Alternatively, the width of the wide bus logic 1198 may be 25% ofthe number of A/D converters 1160, in which case it would take four buscycles to transfer all digital intensity values from all A/D converters1160 to the pre-processing circuits 1156 a-n or to the image buffer1157. It should be noted that the width of the wide bus logic 1198 maybe any percentage of the number of columns of the photo sensor array.However, if an entire row of pixels is to undergo a simultaneousexposure period utilizing a quantity of A/D converters equal to thenumber of pixels in the row, but the wide bus logic 1198 is notsufficient to transfer digital intensity values from all A/D converters1160 simultaneously, the wide bus logic 1198 may includefirst-in-first-out (FIFO) buffers (one FIFO buffer for each A/Dconverter) for buffering digital intensity values prior to transfer tothe pre-processing circuits 1156 a-n or to the image buffer 1157.

The hardware gate logic 1155 includes multiple pre-processing circuits1156 a-n. The pre-processing circuits 1156 a-n may perform operationssuch as convolution, binning, sub-sampling, cropping and other imageprocessing functions on an image frame (full, binned, sub-sampled,and/or cropped) to generate one or more image data record 1161 a-n, eachof which is derived from the image frame or an image data record thatwas previously derived from the image frame.

Each pre-processing circuit 1156 a-n may receive as input either: i) animage frame (full, binned, sub-sampled, and/or cropped) receiveddirectly from the photo sensor array 1158 by way of the wide bus logic1198; or ii) an image data record 1161 a-n from the image buffer 1157which is the result of a different pre-processing circuit 1156 a-npreviously operating on an image frame (full, binned, sub-sampled,and/or cropped) received directly from the photo sensor array 1158 byway of the wide bus logic 1198.

It should be noted that one image frame (full, binned, sub-sampled,and/or cropped) may be input to multiple pre-processing circuits 1156a-n resulting in multiple image data records 1161 a-n being written tothe image buffer 1157 for the same frame of image data. Further, for aburst of multiple image frames (described herein), each image frame(full, binned, sub-sampled, and/or cropped) may be input to the same oneor more pre-processing circuits 1156 a-n or permutations of differentimage frames of the burst may be input to different subsets ofpre-processing circuits 1156 a-n, each subset including one or morepre-processing circuits 1156 a-n.

It should also be noted that one of the pre-processing circuits 1156 maysimply write the image frame (full, binned, sub-sampled, and/or cropped)to the image buffer 1157 as an image data record 1161 without performingsubstantive image processing (e.g. writing the intensity values receivedfrom the A/D converters 1160 for the image frame to the image buffer1157).

Image processing functions that may be performed by any of the imagepre-processing circuits 1156 a-n and the image data records 1161 a-nderived from each image frame (whether full, binned, sub-sampled, and/orwindowed and/or cropped) include: i) transfer of the image frame or awindow within an image frame (full, binned, cropped, or sub-sampled) asa resulting image data record 1161 a-n to the image buffer 1157; ii)cropping of an image frame (full, binned, cropped, or sub-sampled) andtransfer of the resulting image data record 1161 a-n to the image buffer1157; iii) binning an image frame (full, binned, cropped, orsub-sampled) and transfer of the resulting image data record 1161 a-n tothe image buffer 1157; iv) subsampling an image frame (full, binned,cropped, or sub-sampled) and transfer of the resulting image data record1161 a-n to the image buffer 1157; v) generating a rotation of an imageframe (full, binned, cropped, or sub-sampled) and transfer of theresulting image data record 1161 a-n to the image buffer 1157; vi)generating a convolution of an image frame (full, binned, cropped, orsub-sampled) and transfer of the resulting image data record 1161 a-n tothe image buffer 1157; and vii) generating a double convolution which isa second sequential convolution performed on the result of a previouslyperformed convolution of an image frame (full, binned, cropped, orsub-sampled) and transfer of the resulting image data record 1161 a-n tothe image buffer 1157. Each sequential convolution utilizes a differentdistinct kernel. Each of these image processing operations is describedin more detail herein.

The pre-processing circuits 1156 a-n may be implemented in hardware gatelogic 1155 to provide for image processing very quickly such thatprocessing by a pre-processing circuit 1156 a-n, and thereby generatingand storing in the image buffer 1157 one or more image data records 1161a-n may be performed during a limited amount of time that the imageframe is being read from the photo sensor array 1158 such that raw pixeldata (i.e., digital intensity values from the A/D converters 1160coupled to the image sensor array 1158) do not need to be stored inmemory (other than simple FIFO buffers) prior to being processed by thepre-processing circuits 1156 a-n.

The control circuitry 1159 may be any combination of hardware gate logicand/or a processor executing a code stored in a volatile or non-volatilememory. The control circuitry 1159 interfaces with the image capturecontrol and decode system 1132, the pre-processing circuits 1156 a-n,and the photo sensor array 1158.

In operation the control circuitry 1159 may receive, from the imagecapture control and decode system 1132 via a bus 1162, image captureparameter values for a burst of one or more image frames (full, binned,sub-sampled, and/or cropped) to be sequentially captured. As will bedescribed in more detail herein, the image capture parameter valuesdefine, for the burst of one or more image frames to be captured by thephoto sensor, a quantity of image frames to be sequentially captured(the burst of images) and, for each image within the burst: i) whether afull image frame, binned image frame, sub-sampled image frame, or awindow of a full, binned, or sub-sampled image frame is to be captured;ii) the binning or subsampling resolution (vertically and horizontally)and/or window cropping, if applicable; iii) an exposure setting; iv) again setting; and v) an indication of a permutation of one or morepre-processing functions to apply to the image frame (full, binned,sub-sampled and/or windowed), including pre-processing functions thatare to be applied to an image data record resulting from a previouspre-processing function being applied to the image frame (full, binned,sub-sampled, and/or windowed).

In further operation, after receiving the image capture parametervalues, the control circuitry 1159 may, for each image frame to becaptured, set image capture settings to the image capture parametervalues for the image frame and, in response to a trigger signal from theimage sensor system package 1134, drive the photo sensor array 1158 tosequentially capture each of one or more image frames of the burst inaccordance with the image capture settings and without further triggersignal(s) from the image capture control and decode system 1132.

In more detail, the control circuitry 1159 adjusts the image capturesettings between the exposure periods for each sequentially capturedimage frame such that each captured image frame within the burst ofimage frames is captured with image capture settings specificallydefined for that image frame by the image capture control and decodesystem 1132. At least one of the multiple frames of image data may becaptured with a distinct value of at least one image capture parameter.

Each captured image frame (full, binned, sub-sampled, and/or windowed)may, under control of the control circuitry 1159, be input to selectedone or more pre-processing circuits 1156 a-n in accordance with theimage capture parameter values for purposes of performing thepre-processing functions previously described. Resulting image datarecords 1161 a-n are written to the image buffer 1157.

Further, the control circuitry 1159 may, for selected image data records1161 a-n in the buffer memory 1152, drive selected other pre-processingcircuits 1156 a-n to receive the selected image data record 1161 a-n andgenerate, and write to the image buffer 1157, an image data record 1161a-n which is derived therefrom.

Further yet, the control circuitry 1159 may, as requested by the imagecapture control and decode system 1132, provide certain image datarecords 1161 a-n (or portions of certain image data records 11617 a-n)to the image capture control and decode system 1132 for furtherprocessing and decoding.

In one embodiment, the image capture module 1176 of the image capturecontrol and decode system 1132, when executed by the processor 1144 inconjunction with the hardware circuits 1148, controls image capture by:i) defining (or receiving from the decoder 1175) image capture parametervalues for a burst of one or more image frames to be sequentiallycaptured by the photo sensor array 1158 of the image sensor systempackage 1134 and the image processing to be performed on each imageframe; ii) initiating the capture of the sequence of one or more imageframes by the photo sensor array 1158 and the corresponding performanceof the image processing thereon by the pre-processing circuits 1156 a-nto generate image data records 1161 a-n, each of which is a derivativeof an image frame within the sequence of one or more image frames; andiii) controlling the illumination systems 1136 a-c to illuminate thebarcode within the field of view during capture of each frame of thesequence of one or more image frames. The image capture module 1176 mayfurther define, or receive from the decoder an indication of, which ofthe image data records, or portions of the image data records, are to beprovided to the decoder 1175 for decoding of the barcode.

As described, the image capture parameter values may define a quantityof image frames to be sequentially captured (the burst of images) and,for each image within the burst: i) whether a full image frame, binnedimage frame, sub-sampled image frame, or a window of a full, binned, orsubsampled image frame is to be captured; ii) the binning or subsamplingresolution (vertically and horizontally) and/or the windowing croppingfor the image frame to be captured if applicable; iii) an exposuresetting; iv) a gain setting, v) an indication of a permutation of one ormore previously described pre-processing functions to apply to the imageframe (full, binned, sub-sampled, and/or cropped) by the imagepre-processing circuits 1156 a-n within hardware circuits 1148 of theimage sensor system package 1134, including pre-processing functionsthat are to be applied to an image data records 1161 a-n resulting froma previous pre-processing function being applied to the image frame(full, binned, sub-sampled and/or cropped).

The exposure period may be the duration of time each pixel is exposed(i.e., the duration of time between the beginning of the exposure periodand the end of the exposure period).

The gain setting may be a gain value implemented for ensuring that thepixel intensity values (or binned pixel intensity values) utilize thedynamic range of the A/D converters 1160.

Initiating the capture of the sequence of one or more image frames of abarcode within a field of view of the photo sensor array 1158 mayinclude providing a single trigger signal to the control circuitry 1159of the image sensor system package 1134 to initiate the capture of thesequence of one or more image frames. Such a single trigger signal maybe provided after the image capture parameter values defining thesequence of image frames to be captured and pre-processing to beperformed by pre-processing circuits 1156 a-n within the image sensorsystem package 1134 have been provided to the control circuitry 1159such that the control circuitry 1159 may autonomously capture thesequence of image frames and drive the pre-processing circuits 1156 a-nto perform the applicable pre-processing in accordance with the imagecapture parameter values without further control having to be providedby the image capture control and decode system 1132.

Controlling the illumination systems 1136 a-c to illuminate the barcodewithin the field of view during capture of each frame of the sequence ofone or more image frames may comprise controlling illumination logic1150 within hardware circuits 1148.

In more detail, the illumination sub-systems 1136 a-c are coupled to thehardware circuits 1148 which providing power required for thelight-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other illumination sources to generateillumination under control of illumination logic 1150. Morespecifically, for each image frame to be captured by the photo sensorarray 1158, the image capture module 1176 provides illuminationparameters to the illumination logic 1150 which control the illuminationsettings to be used for capture of the image frame. More specifically,the illumination parameters may define such illumination settings as: i)identifying which of at least one of the illumination sub-systems 1136a-c are to be activated for the exposure period in which the image frameis captured; and ii) the intensity of illumination to be generated byeach of the illumination sub-systems 1136 a-c that are to be activated.In certain exemplary embodiments the intensity may be defined as: i) apercentage from zero percent (0%) to one hundred percent (100%)representing the percent of a maximum illumination intensity that can begenerated by the LEDs (or other illumination sources) of illuminationsub-system; ii) pulse-width-modulation (PWM) parameters representing thepercentage of time during the exposure period that maximum operatingpower is applied to the LEDs (or other illumination sources) of theillumination sub-system in a pulsing pattern; and iii) a percentagegreater than one hundred percent (100%) representing a power level to beapplied to the LEDs of an illumination sub-system if the LEDs are to beover-driven.

In certain embodiments, the illumination parameters may be provided tothe illumination logic 1150 for one or more image frames within a burstof image frames to be captured by the photo sensor array 1158 by theimage capture module 1176 writing the illumination parameters for eachframe to a distinct register within the illumination logic 1150.

During capture of each image frame of one or more image frames within aburst of image frames, the illumination logic 1150 sets the illuminationsettings for the image frame to conform to the illumination parametersfor the image frame by configuring power circuits of the hardwarecircuits 1148 to apply the applicable power to the applicableillumination sub-systems.

In one embodiment, the illumination logic is coupled to a flash signal1163 generated by the control circuitry 1159 of the image sensor systempackage 1134. The flash signal 1163 is configured to generate a signalindicating a start of each exposure period and an end of each exposureperiod, for each image frame captured by the image sensor 1158 within aburst of one or more image frames. In this embodiment the illuminationlogic may, for each image frame: i) set the illumination settings forthe image frame to conform to the illumination parameters for the imageframe by configuring power circuits of the hardware circuits 1148 toapply the applicable power to the applicable illumination sub-systems;ii) apply the applicable power to the applicable illumination sub-system1136 a-c when the flash signal 1163 indicates start of the exposureperiod for the image frame; iii) deactivate the power to theillumination sub-systems 1136 a-c when the flash signal 1163 indicatesthe end of the exposure period; and iv) repeat steps i-iii for the nextimage frame within the sequence utilizing the illumination parametersfor that next image frame within the sequence. The illuminationparameters may be considered image capture parameter values in additionto those image capture parameter values previously described.

The decoder 1175, when executed by the processor 1144, may: i) determinewhich of the one or more image data records 1161 a-n (or windows withinone or more image data records 1161 a-n) may be transferred from theimage buffer 1157 to the image capture control and decode system 1132;ii) determine a permutation of one or more pre-processing functions(performed by pre-processing circuits 1151 a-n) to apply to each of theone of the image data records 1161 a-n (or windows within one or moreimage data records 1161 a-n) to generate, and write to the buffer memory1152, image data records 1153 a-n (each of which is also a derivative ofthe one or more image frames (whether full, binned, or sub-sampled)captured by the photo sensor array 1158; iii) determine a permutation ofone or more pre-processing functions (performed by the image processingmodule 1174 when such code is executed by the processor 1144) to applyto each of the one of the image data records 1153 a-n (or windows withinone or more image data records 1153 a-n) to generate, and write to thebuffer memory 1152 additional (or replacement) image data records 1153a-n (each of which is also a derivative of the one or more image frames(full, binned, sub-sampled, and/or cropped) captured by the photo sensorarray 1158; and iv) decode the barcode present within the field of viewof the barcode reader and imaged within the one or more image frames(whether full, binned, or sub-sampled) captured by the photo sensorarray 1158 and represented by at least a portion of one of the imagedata records 1153 a-n derived from such an image frame.

Referring to FIG. 18B, exemplary operation of the decoder 1175 isdepicted in accordance with one embodiment. Step 1170 represents thedecoder 1175 and/or the image capture module 1176 determining the imagecapture parameter values for a burst of one or more image frames aspreviously described.

Step 1171 represents transferring one or more image data records 1161a-n (or portions of one or more image data records 1161 a-n) from theimage buffer 1157 to the image capture control and decode system 1132and establishing which, if any, pre-processing functions are to beperformed by image pre-processing circuits 1151 a-n and/or the imageprocessing module 1174.

Step 1172 represents selecting a final image data record 1153 fordecoding, which may include sampling final image data records 1153 a-nat step 1172 a and evaluating the sample image data records 1153 a-n atstep 1172 b.

Step 1173 represents decoding the selected image data record 1153. Thisoperation may include, based on the resulting image data records 1153a-n meeting or failing to meet certain criteria: i) driving imagepre-processing circuits 1151 a-n or the processing module 1174 toperform additional image processing operations, as previously describedon one or more of the image data records 1153 a-n within the buffermemory 1152 (or on a window of, a binning of, or a sub-sampling of eachof one or more image data records 1153 a-n) and write resultingadditional, or replacement, image data records 1153 a-n to the buffermemory 1152; ii) driving the transfer of one or more additional imagedata records 1161 a-n (full, windowed, binned, or sub-sampled) to theimage capture control and decode system 1132 (without obtaining anadditional burst of one or more image frames) and, optionally drivingperformance of additional pre-processing operations on the additionalimage data records 1161 a-n by the pre-processing circuits 1151 a-n orthe image processing module 1174; and/or iii) driving capture of one ormore additional bursts of image frames (whether full, windowed, binnedor sub-sampled), resulting in one or more additional image data records1161 a-n being written to the image buffer 1157, and then drivingtransfer of one or more of the additional image data records 1161 a-n(full, windowed, binned or sub-sampled), but not necessarily all of theadditional image data records 1161 a-n in the image buffer 1157, to theimage capture control and decode system 1132 and, optionally drivingperformance of additional pre-processing operations on the additionalimage data records 1161 a-n by the pre-processing circuits 1151 a-n orthe image processing module 1174. This aspect of the operation may berepeated until at least one of the image data records 1153 a-n isdecodable by the processor 1144 operating the decoder 1175.

The pre-processing circuits 1151 a-n, similar to pre-processing circuits1156 a-n, may be implemented within hardware circuits 1148. Thepre-processing circuits 1151 a-n may perform operations such asconvolution, binning, sub-sampling and other image processing functionson image data records 1161 a-n (each of which is provided by the imagesensor system package 1134 via the bus 1162 and each of which is, or isa derivative of, an image frame (full, binned, sub-sampled, and/orcropped) captured by the photo sensor array 1158) to generate, and writeto the buffer memory 1152, one or more image data record 1153 a-n.

Each pre-processing circuit 1151 a-n may receive as input either: i) animage data record 1161 a-n (or a window of, a binning of, or asub-sampling of, an image data record 1161 a-n) directly from the imagesensor system package 1134 by way of the bus 1162; or ii) an image datarecord 1153 a-n from the buffer memory 1152 which is the result of adifferent pre-processing circuit 1151 a-n previously operating on animage data record 1161 a-n (or a window of, a binning of, or asub-sampling of, an image data record 1161 a-n) received from the imagesensor system package 1134 by way of the bus 1162.

It should be noted that one image data record 1161 a-n (or a window of,a binning of, or a sub-sampling of, an image data record 1161 a-n) maybe input to multiple pre-processing circuits 1151 a-n, resulting inmultiple image data records 1153 a-n being written to the buffer memory1152 for the same image data record 1161 a-n (or a window of, a binningof, or a sub-sampling of, an image data record 1161 a-n).

Further, for a burst of multiple image frames the image data record 1161a-n (or a window of, a binning of, or a sub-sampling of, an image datarecord 1161 a-n) received and processed by the pre-processing circuits1151 a-n may represent different image frames within the burst capturedby the photo sensor array 1158. The image data records 1161 a-n (or awindow of, a binning of, or a sub-sampling of, an image data record 1161a-n) received and processed by the pre-processing circuits 1151 a-n maybe the result of applying the same pre-processing functions bypre-processing circuits 1156 a-n to each of multiple image frames withinthe burst.

Each image data record 1161 a-n (or a window of, a binning of, or asub-sampling of, an image data record 1161 a-n) received may be input tothe same one or more pre-processing circuits 1151 a-n or may be input todifferent subsets of pre-processing circuits 1151 a-n, each subsetincluding one or more pre-processing circuits 1151 a-n.

It should also be noted that one of the pre-processing circuits 1151 a-nmay simply write the image data record 1161 a-n (which may be an imageframe captured by the image sensor array 1158 (full, binned,sub-sampled, and/or cropped) without previous processing bypre-processing circuits 1156 a-n) to the buffer memory 1152 withoutperforming substantive image processing.

Again, operations performed by, and derivatives of the frame of imagedata produced by, the pre-processing circuits 1151 a-n may include: i)transfer of the image data record 1161 a-n (or a window, binning, orsub-sampling of the image data record 1161 a-n) to the buffer memory1152 as an image data record 1153 a-n without substantive processing;ii) binning of an image data record 1161 a-n (or a window orsub-sampling of the image data record 1161 a-n) and writing the resultto the buffer memory 1152 as an image data record 1153 a-n; iii)subsampling of an image data record 1161 a-n (or a window, binning, orsub-sampling of the image data record 1161 a-n) and writing the resultto the buffer memory 1152 as an image data record 1153 a-n; iv)generating a rotation of an image data record 1161 a-n (or a window of,a binning of, or sub-sampling of the image data record 1161 a-n) andwriting the result to the buffer memory 1152 as an image data record1153 a-n; v) generating a convolution of an image data record 1161 a-n(or a window or sub-sampling of the image data record 1161 a-n) andwriting the result to the buffer memory 1152 as an image data record1153 a-n; and vi); generating a double convolution, which is a secondsequential convolution performed on the result of a previously performedconvolution, of an image data record 1161 a-n (or a window orsub-sampling of the image data record 1161 a-n) and writing the resultto the buffer memory 1152 as an image data record 1153 a-n. Eachsequential convolution utilizes a different distinct kernel.

The pre-processing circuits 1151 a-n may be implemented in hardwarecircuits 1148 to provide for image processing very quickly such thatprocessing by a pre-processing circuit 1151 a-n, and thereby generatingand storing in the buffer memory 1152 one or more image data records1153 a-n, may be performed during the limited amount of time that theimage data records 1161 a-n are being transferred to the image capturecontrol and decode system 1132 via the bus 1162 without requiringstorage of the transferred image data records 1161 a-n in memory priorto pre-processing by pre-processing circuits 1151 a-n.

The image processing module 1174, when executed by the processor 1144may perform similar pre-processing functions as performed by thepre-processing circuits 1156 a-n and pre-processing circuits 1151 a-n.

In more detail, the image processing module 1174 may perform operationssuch as convolution, binning, sub-sampling and other image processingfunctions on image data records 1153 a-n (each of which is has beenpreviously written to the buffer memory 1152 and each of which is, or isa derivative of, an image frame (full, binned, sub-sampled, and/orcropped) captured by the photo sensor array 1158) to generate, and writeto the buffer memory 1152, one or more additional, or replacement, imagedata record 1153 a-n.

The image processing module 1174 may receive as input an image datarecord 1153 a-n (or a window of, a binning of, or a sub-sampling of, animage data record 1153 a-n) from the buffer memory 1152.

It should be noted that one image data record 1153 a-n (or a window of,a binning of, or a sub-sampling of, an image data record 1153 a-n) maybe input to multiple pre-processing functions of the image processingmodule 1174 resulting in multiple additional, or replacement, image datarecords 1153 a-n being written to the buffer memory 1152 for the sameimage data record 1153 a-n (or a window of, a binning of, or asub-sampling of, an image data record 1153 a-n).

Further, for a burst of multiple image frames, the image data record1153 a-n (or a window of, a binning of, or a sub-sampling of, an imagedata record 1153 a-n) received and processed by the image processingmodule 1174 may represent different image frames within the burstcaptured by the photo sensor array 1158. The image data records 1153 a-n(or a window of, a binning of, or a sub-sampling of, an image datarecord 1153 a-n) received and processed by the image processing module1174 may be the result of applying the same pre-processing functions toeach of multiple image frames within the burst.

Each image data record 1153 a-n (or a window of, a binning of, or asub-sampling of, an image data record 1153 a-n) may be input to the sameone or more pre-processing functions of the image processing module 1174or may be input to different subsets of pre-processing functions ofimage processing module 1174, each subset including one or morepre-processing functions.

Again, operations performed by, and derivatives of the frame of imagedata produced by, the image processing module 1174 may include: i)binning of an image data record 1153 a-n (or a window or sub-sampling ofthe image data record 1153 a-n) and writing the result to the buffermemory 1152 as an additional, or replacement, image data record 1153a-n; ii) subsampling of an image data record 1153 a-n (or a window,binning, or sub-sampling of the image data record 1153 a-n) and writingthe result to the buffer memory 1152 as an additional, or replacement,image data record 1153 a-n; iii) generating a rotation of an image datarecord 1153 a-n (or a window of, a binning of, or sub-sampling of theimage data record 1153 a-n) and writing the result to the buffer memory1152 as an additional, or replacement, image data record 1153 a-n; iv)generating a convolution of an image data record 1153 a-n (or a windowor sub-sampling of the image data record 1153 a-n) and writing theresult to the buffer memory 1152 as an additional, or replacement, imagedata record 1153 a-n; and v); generating a double convolution, which isa second sequential convolution performed on the result of a previouslyperformed convolution, of an image data record 1153 a-n (or a window orsub-sampling of the image data record 1153 a-n) and writing the resultto the buffer memory 1152 as an additional, or replacement, image datarecord 1153 a-n. Again, each sequential convolution utilizes a differentdistinct kernel.

Further, as previously discussed, the decoder may additionally, prior tothe capture of the burst one or more image frames by the photo sensorarray 1158, based on analysis of image data records 1153 a-n derivedfrom one or more previous bursts of one or more image frames (full,binned, sub-sampled, and/or cropped) define any permutation of, or allof, the image capture parameter values previously discussed for theburst (or next burst) of one or more image frames.

Again, such image capture parameter values define a quantity of imageframes to be sequentially captured (the burst of images) and, for eachimage within the burst: i) whether a full image frame, binned imageframe, or sub-sampled image frame is to be captured; ii) the binning orsubsampling resolution (vertically and horizontally) for the image frameto be captured if applicable; iii) an exposure setting; iv) a gainsetting; and v) an indication of a permutation of one or morepre-processing functions to apply to the image frame (full, binned, orsub-sampled), including pre-processing functions that are to be appliedto an image data record resulting from a previous pre-processingfunction being applied to the image frame (whether full, binned, orsub-sampled).

The image capture parameter values may be provided directly by thedecoder 1175 to the control circuitry 1159 of the image sensor systempackage 1134 via the bus 1162 or may be provided to the image capturemodule 1176 which in turn provides the image capture parameter values tothe control circuitry 1159 of the image sensor system package 1134 viathe bus 1162.

As discussed, the image sensor system package 1134 and the image capturecontrol and decode system 1132 may be included in two separate packagescommunicating over the interface 1162.

FIG. 18C shows the interface 1162 between the image sensor systempackage 1134 and the image capture control and decode system 1132. Theinterface 1162 may comprise a control link 1175 that may be a two-wayserial control channel enabling the image capture control and decodesystem 1132 to: i) set parameters (e.g., the quantity of images to becaptured in a burst, exposure period for each frame, gain setting foreach frame, resolution setting for each frame, or the like); ii) selectwhich image pre-processing circuits 1156 a-n are to be applied to eachcaptured frame, thereby determining the characteristics of the imagedata records 1161 a-n written to the image buffer 1157; and iii) selectimage data records 1161 for transfer to the image capture control anddecode system 1132.

The interface 1162 may further include a trigger signal 1176 controlledby the image capture control and decode system 1132 to initiateautonomous capture of a burst of one or more image frames and subsequentimage pre-processing and writing of image data records 1161 a-n to theimage buffer 11573.

The interface 1162 may further include a flash signal 1163 which isoutput by the image sensor system package 1134 to signal the start ofeach exposure period and the end of each exposure period. The imagecapture control and decode system 1132 may control the illuminationsystem 1136 based on the flash signal 1163. More particularly, the imagecapture control and decode system 1132 may activate the selectedillumination system(s) 1136 a-n at the selected intensities during theexposure of each applicable frame based on the flash signal 1163indicating start of the exposure period. The illumination system 1136may be configured to deactivate the exposure illumination when the flashsignal 1163 indicates end of the exposure period activate the targetingillumination during the time period between exposure periods ofsequential frames.

The interface 1162 may further include data lines 1177 that may beparallel or serial and that provide for the transfer of image datarecords 1161 from the image sensor system package 1134 to the imagecapture control and decode system 1132.

The interface 1162 may further include data control signals 1178 whichmay be signals to indicate the time each pixel value is valid on a dataline, and indicate location of the pixel within the image arrayrepresented by the image data records (e.g., horizontal blanking,vertical blanking).

It should be appreciated that the barcode image is captured, processed,and stored in the first package (i.e., the image sensor system package1134) at a much faster speed and may then be transferred to the secondpackage (the image capture control and decode system 1132) for decodingat a slower speed. The image buffer 1157 may be large enough to hold anentire frame of image data (in combination with image data records 1161a-n derived from the frame of image data), and the entire frame of imagedata and/or combinations of one or more image data records 1161 a-n maybe read-out of the image buffer 1157 after the entire frame of imagedata is put into the image buffer 1157.

In one embodiment, instead of transferring all frames of image datacaptured in a burst, a subset of the multiple frames of image datagenerated in a burst may be transferred to the image capture control anddecode system 1132 at a speed commensurate with transfer by theinterface 1162 at the second or slower speed.

Referring to FIG. 18D in conjunction with FIGS. 18A-18C, an exemplaryoperation of certain components of the barcode reader 1130 arerepresented in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Step 1182 represents defining image capture parameter values for a burstof image frames to capture. In more detail, defining the image captureparameter values may comprise the image capture module 1176 or thedecoder 1175 defining the quantity of image frames to capture (full,binned, sub-sampled, and/or windowed) in sequence at sub-step 1184 andfor each frame in the sequence, defining: i) image capture parametervalues for the image frame such as the exposure period, gain settings,and/or resolution settings (if capturing a binned or sub-sampled imageframe) at sub-step 1186 a; ii) the image processing functions to whichthe image frame will be subject by pre-processing circuits 1156 a-n forpurposes of defining the image data records 1161 a-n to be written tothe image buffer 1157 at sub-step 1186 b; and/or iii) the illuminationsettings for the image frame at sub-step 1186 c.

The illumination settings may be defined as a combination of: i)identifying which illumination sub-systems 1136 a-c are to be used forcapturing the image frame, and ii) for each illumination sub-system 1136a-c, the percentage of full intensity at which the illumination is to beactivated.

More specifically, the status of each illumination sub-system 1136 a,1136 b, 1136 c (i.e., active or non-active and, if active, the intensitylevel) may be different for each image frame captured. For example, whentwo sequential frames are captured, the first frame may be captured withillumination sub-system 1136 a active while the second frame may becaptured with illumination sub-system 1136 b active.

Further, the selection of image capture parameter values, including thenon-active and active illumination sub-systems 1136 a, 1136 b, 1136 cfor capturing images, may be based on characteristics of the image datarecords 1161 a-n in the image buffer 1157 or image data records 1153 a-nin the buffer memory 1152 from previously captured image frames.

Step 1188 represents: i) transferring the image capture parameter valuesfor the image capture burst to the control circuitry 1159 of the imagesensor system package 1134 utilizing the bi-directional data controllink 1178 of the interface 1162; and ii) configuring the illuminationlogic to drive the applicable illumination sub-system 1136 a-c inaccordance with the illumination parameters during an exposure time forcapture of each image frame. It should be appreciated that image captureparameter values transferred to the control circuitry 1159 do not needto include parameter values related to illumination when illumination iscontrolled by the hardware gate logic 1155 within the image sensorsystem package 1134. However, in an embodiment wherein the illuminationlogic 1150 controlling illumination sub-systems 1136 a-n is within theimage sensor system package 1134 (not shown on FIG. 18A) then theillumination parameter values would be transferred to the controlcircuitry 1159.

Step 1190 represents driving the single trigger signal to the controlcircuitry 1159 to initiate capture of the burst of one or more imageframes, and subsequent image pre-processing and writing of image datarecords 1161 a-n to the image buffer 1157 which, as discussed may bewithout further control by the image sensor system package 1134.

Step 1192 represents the illumination logic 1150 receiving from thecontrol circuitry 1159 of the image sensor system package 1134, for eachimage frame of the burst, a flash signal 1192 a-c indicative of theexposure period commencement and termination for the image frame andactivating the illumination system 1136 in accordance with theillumination settings applicable to that image frame as defined at step1186 c.

Step 1194 represents activating targeting illumination after capturingthe burst of image frames for purposes of projecting a targeting patternof illumination into the field of view to assist the operator of thebarcode reader in maintaining the desired barcode within the field ofview of the barcode reader in case an additional burst of one or moreimage frames is required. After the barcode within the field of view 106has been decoded the targeting illumination may be deactivated.

Step 1196 represents selecting which image data records 1161 a-n (orselected portions or windows within each image data record 1161 a-n) areto be transferred from the image buffer 1157 to the image capturecontrol and decode system 1132. More specifically, the decoder 1175 orthe image capture module 1176 may obtain portions (e.g., samples) of oneor more image data records 1161 a-n at sub-step 1196 a and evaluate eachfor the quality of the image of the barcode within the image data recordat sub-step 1196 b to select one or more image data records 1161 a-n,but fewer than all image data records 1161 a-n, to transfer from theimage buffer 1157 to the image capture control and decode system 1132for decoding.

The image data records 1161 a-n being transferred may have the bestquality image of the barcode or other characteristics of the image ofthe barcode which are likely to result in a decodable barcode image. Forexample, the quality of an image of a barcode may be measured in termsof the contrast between light cells and dark cells within the barcode. Abarcode image having relatively high contrast between dark cells andlight cells may be considered to have higher quality than a barcodeimage having relatively low contrast between dark cells and light cells.

The superior contrast profile may mean at least one of: (i) greatermaximum amplitude between the portions of the image within the subsetthat are dark marks of the barcode and the portions of the image withinthe subset that are light marks of the barcode; and (ii) more distincttransitions between portions of the image within the subset that aredark marks of the barcode and the portions of the image within thesubset that are light marks of the barcode.

The terms “dark cells” and “light cells” are used herein becausebarcodes have traditionally been printed with ink. This gives barcodesthe appearance of having dark cells (the portion that is printed withink) and light cells (the unprinted substrate background, typicallywhite). However, with direct part mark technology, ink is not alwaysused and other techniques (e.g., laser/chemical etching and/or dotpeening) may be used instead. Such techniques may be utilized to createa barcode by causing different portions of a substrate to have differentreflective characteristics. When these different portions of thesubstrate are imaged, the resulting barcode image may have theappearance of including dark cells and light cells. Therefore, as usedherein, the terms “dark cells” and “light cells” should be interpretedas applying to barcodes that are printed with ink as well as barcodesthat are created using other technologies.

The contrast between the dark cells and the light cells in a barcode maybe a function of illumination. Ideally, it is desirable to provideillumination that is consistent across the barcode and of intensity suchthat the exposure of the image yields both dark cells and light cellsthat are within the dynamic range of the photo sensor array 1158. Thisyields better contrast than any of the following: (i) a dimly litbarcode; (ii) a brightly lit barcode wherein the image is washed outbeyond the dynamic range of the photo sensor array 1158; (iii) anunevenly lit barcode with bright washed out spots; or (iv) a barcodeilluminated with illumination that is not compatible with thereflectivity characteristic(s) of the cells of the barcode. An exampleof (iv) is that illumination directed from the sides of the field ofview yields a higher contrast image of a barcode formed by etchingtechnology than does illumination parallel to the optical axis.

If the quality of a window of images is measured in terms of contrast,determining the selected illumination system configuration may includedetermining which window image of the plurality of window images has thehighest contrast between light and dark cells of the barcode, anddetermining which configuration of the plurality of illumination systems1136 a-c was activated when the window image having the highest contrastwas captured.

In one embodiment, each of the image data records 1161 a-n which aretransferred to the image capture control and decode system 1132 may bewritten to the image buffer 1157 as image data records 1153 a-n withoutfurther image processing. In another embodiment, the imagepre-processing circuits 1151 a-n may perform image processing andwriting of resulting image data records 1153 a-n to the buffer memory1152 as previously discussed.

Also, as previously discussed, one of the pre-processing circuits 1156a-n may simply write input data as an image data record 1161 a-n to theimage buffer 1157 without additional substantive processing.

As such, the structure depicted in FIG. 18A enables an image frame, ascaptured by the photo sensor array 1158, to be written as an image datarecord 1161 to image buffer 1157 without substantive processing thensubsequently transferred to the image capture control and decode system1132 where it either: i) undergoes image pre-processing by one or morepre-processing circuits 1151 a-n, resulting in one or more image datarecords 1153 a-n being written to the image buffer 1157 as a result ofsuch pre-processing; or ii) is written to the image buffer 1157 as animage data record 1153 a-n without pre-processing by either thepre-processing circuits 1161 a-n or the pre-processing circuits 1151a-n.

The structure depicted in FIG. 18A also enables an image frame, ascaptured by the photo sensor array 1158, to undergo image pre-processingutilizing one or more pre-processing circuits 1161 a-n and to be writtento the image buffer 1157 as one or more image data records 1161 a-n andthen have one or more of the image data records 1161 a-n transferred tothe image capture control and decode system 1132 where the transferredimage data records 1161 a-n are: i) written to the image buffer 1152 asimage data records 1153 a-n without further pre-processing; or ii)subjected to further pre-processing by image pre-processing circuits1151 a-n, resulting in writing of image data records 1153 a-n to theimage buffer 1152.

Further, as discussed, the image processing module 1174 may undertakeprocessing of one or more image data records 1153 a-n to modify theimage data records and/or generate additional, or replacement, imagedata records from one or more image data records 1153 a-n. As such, anyimage data record 1153 a-n may be processed by the image processingmodule 1174 prior to being subjected to decoding, whether it is: i)representative of the image frame captured by the photo sensor array1158 without substantive processing by either the pre-processingcircuits 1156 a-n or the pre-processing circuits 1151 a-n; ii)pre-processed by one of the pre-processing circuits 1156 a-n but withoutfurther substantive pre-processing by one of the pre-processing circuits1151 a-n; iii) not substantively processed by one of the pre-processingcircuits 1156 a-n but substantively pre-processed by one of thepre-processing circuits 1151 a-n; or iv) substantively pre-processed byboth one of the pre-processing circuits 1156 a-n and one of thepre-processing circuits 1151 a-n.

Examples of pre-processing will be explained hereafter. The followingexamples of pre-processing may be: i) performed by the pre-processingcircuits 1156 a-n on a frame of image data received from the photosensor array 1158 to generate image data records 1161 a-n, which are theimage frame or a derivative of the image frame, to be written to theimage buffer 1157; and ii) performed by the pre-processing circuits 1151a-n and/or the image processing module 1174 (executed by the processor1144) on an image data record 1161 a-n transferred from the image buffer11573 to the image capture control and decode system 1132 for generatingan image data record 1153 a-n which may be the original image frame or aderivative of the original image frame.

In one embodiment, no image processing may be performed such that theimage data record may be the image frame (whether full, windowed,binned, or sub-sampled) without substantive processing.

In another embodiment, portions of the image frame may be croppedhorizontally or vertically such that the image data record may be awindowed portion of the image frame (whether full, binned orsub-sampled).

In another embodiment, the image data record may be a lower resolutionframe of the original image data. One of the pre-processing circuits maybin, or average, two or more pixel intensity values to generate a singleintensity value representative of a theoretical pixel that encompassesthe size of all of the pixels that provided values that were binned oraveraged. Multiple image data records can be generated from the sameframe of image data at different resolutions.

In another embodiment, binarization may be performed. The binarizationmay involve comparing the intensity value of each pixel, or theintensity value resulting from the binning of a group of pixels, to athreshold. If it is greater than (or equal to) the threshold, theintensity value may be converted to a first binary value, and if it isless than (or equal to) the threshold, the intensity value may beconverted to a second binary value. The threshold may be common acrossall pixels (or binned pixel groupings) or may be different for differentpixels (or binned pixel groupings). The threshold value applied to anypixel (or binned pixel groupings) may be dynamic (e.g., the thresholdvalue may be calculated based on the intensity values previouslyoperated on during the binarization process).

In another embodiment, a minimum/maximum processing technique utilizinga 3×3 kernel may be applied to any array of pixel intensity values orany array of binned or subsampled array of intensity values. It may beapplied across the entire frame of image data (or an image data record)or to only a cropped section of the frame of image data (or an imagedata record). Of the 9 intensity values of each 3×3 kernel, the maximumintensity value or the minimum intensity value is determined and writtento the image data record in substitution for the intensity value of thecenter cell of the kernel.

In another embodiment, convolution kernel masking may be performed. Inthis image processing technique, a kernel mask, such as the 3×3 kernelmask.

In another embodiment, a rotation may be performed on an array of pixelvalues. More specifically, each intensity value for selected columns ofthe array (e.g. 3, 5, 7) may be extracted and used for intensity valuesof adjacent rows within an image data record. The selected columns maybe adjacent columns or may be a fraction of the columns, evenly spaced,across all or a portion of the array. The array may be the image data(full, binned, sub-sampled, and/or windowed).

It should be appreciated that using one or more of the above processingtechniques, image data records can be generated from the original imageframe or image data records that have already been generated from theoriginal image frame. Multiple processing techniques may be applied tothe same frame of image data (or image data record) to result indifferent image data records derived therefrom, and the processingtechniques may be applied in any order. Each of the above preprocessingtechniques is described in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/717,112.

Sets of image data records may be generated from one or more imageframes captured in a single sequence or in multiple sequences, and maybe generated by a combination of the pre-processing circuits 1156 a-n ofthe image sensor system package 1134, pre-processing circuits 1151 a-nof the image capture control and decode system 1132, and/or theprocessor 1144 of the image capture control and decode system 1132executing the image processing module 1174. For example, an image datarecord may be a frame of image data which may be an array of pixelintensity values, each pixel intensity value representing the intensityof illumination accumulating on the photo sensor pixel over the exposureperiod. Different image data records may each be a frame of image datacaptured using a different exposure period, using a different gainsetting, or using a different exposure illumination active during adifferent exposure period, each as described in more detail in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/717,122.

In one embodiment, communication of decoded data obtained from an imageof a barcode with a host computer may require that a barcode reader1130: i) authenticate itself to the host computer as a trustedaccessory; and ii) communicate using a communication protocol that isoperable after the barcode reader 1130 has authenticated to the hostcomputer as a trusted accessory (i.e., after obtaining status of atrusted accessory or device to the host computer). More specifically, atleast one of the host computer and the barcode reader 1130 may notcommunicate using the communication protocol until mutual authenticationof the barcode reader 1130 and the host computer as a trusted entity issuccessfully completed.

In this embodiment, the barcode reader 1130 may further includeaccessory protocol control code 1164 and an authentication system 181.The accessory protocol control code 1164 may be stored in the memory1146 and executed by the processor 1144. The accessory protocol controlcode 1164, when executed by the processor 1144, enables communicationwith an operating system of the host computer and provision of thedecoded data of the barcode image to an application operating on thehost computer using an accessory communication protocol. The accessoryprotocol control code 1164 may implement a communication protocolspecific to the host computer when communicating with the host computer.

Referring to FIG. 18A, the authentication system 181 may be includedwithin a combination of the hardware circuits 1148 and memory 1146(including a code executed by the processor 1144) or may be a separatepackage which is part of the I/O peripheral systems 1138 and coupled tothe hardware circuits 1148 and including its own processor 184 (e.g. aco-processor). The authentication system 181 may include a processor 184and a memory for storing a private encryption key 182 and anauthentication process 183 for execution by the processor 184. Theauthentication system 181 is configured to receive an authenticationchallenge from a host computer (e.g., a remote device), subject theauthentication challenge to an authentication algorithm to obtain anauthentication response, and send the authentication response inresponse to the authentication challenge to the host computer. Theauthentication response identifies the barcode reader 1130 as a trustedaccessory to the host computer.

FIG. 19A is a ladder diagram representing an authentication procedurefor authenticating a barcode reader 1130 to a host computer as a trustedaccessory in accordance with one embodiment. The host computer and thebarcode reader 1130 utilizing the authentication system 181 establishmutual authentication using an authentication protocol. Anyauthentication protocol that is currently available or that will bedeveloped in the future may be used for this purpose. An exampleauthentication procedure will be explained with reference to FIG. 19Abut it should be noted that the procedure shown in FIG. 19A is providedas an example, and any other authentication procedure may be performedto establish a mutual authentication between the barcode reader 1130 andthe host computer. The host computer sends a request for an accessoryidentification at step 1202. This request may be sent when acommunication link is first established between the barcode reader 1130and the host computer, which may be at: i) a connection of thepoint-to-point interface (e.g., a UART, USB, or similar connection)utilizing the power/data contacts; ii) a formation of a wirelesspoint-to-point link (e.g., a formation of a Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15),Wi-Fi Direct, or a similar link); or iii) a formation of a TCP/IPconnection over a Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) and/or Ethernet or other IPenabled network; or iv) a similar initial connection.

In response to the request, the processor 1144 of the barcode reader1130 may query the authentication system 181 for an accessory identifierat step 1204. The accessory identifier may be generated by theauthentication system 181 and/or may be a digital certificate.

The authentication system 181 may then return the accessory identifierto the processor 1144 of the barcode reader 1130 at step 1206.Communication between the processor 1144 and the authentication system181 (which may be a co-processor) may be performed by way ofInter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) communication over an internal buscomponent of the hardware circuits 1148.

The processor 1144 of the barcode reader 1130 may then return theaccessory identifier to the host computer over a communication link atstep 1208.

After validating the accessory identifier, the host computer may send anidentification challenge to the processor 1144 of the barcode reader1130 over the communication link at step 1210. The identificationchallenge may be a random number encrypted with a public encryption keyof the digital certificate.

The processor 1144 may then present the authentication challenge to theauthentication system 181 via an internal bus at step 1212.

The authentication system 181 may then generate and return anauthentication challenge response to the processor 1144 via the internalbus at step 1214. Step 1214 may include decrypting the authenticationchallenge using its private encryption key 182 and an authenticationprocess 183 (e.g., a predetermined encryption/decryption algorithm) torecover the random number and return the random number to the hostcomputer. The authentication challenge response may be encrypted usingthe public key of the host private/public key pair.

The processor 1144 may then provide the authentication challengeresponse to the host computer via the communication link at step 1216.

The host computer may then determine at step 1218 whether the barcodereader 1130 is a trusted accessory based on the authentication challengeresponse (i.e., whether the random number returned by the barcode reader1130 matches the original random number provided by the host computer).

If the barcode reader 1130 has properly authenticated as a trustedaccessory, the host computer may authorize communication with thebarcode reader 1130 over the communication link at step 1220.

FIGS. 19B and 19C depict example packet formats for communicationbetween a barcode reader 1130 and a host computer. The barcode reader1130 and the host computer may exchange data packets 1222 d and controlpackets 1222 c over a communication link in accordance with acommunication protocol. The communication of packets may followauthentication between the barcode reader 1130 and the host computer asa trusted accessory. The communication protocol (i.e., the accessoryprotocol code) used between the barcode reader 1130 and the hostcomputer may be a non-proprietary communication protocol or aproprietary communication protocol (such as the iPod® Accessory Protocol(iAP or iAP2) or the like). When communicating using a communicationprotocol (either proprietary or non-proprietary), the decoded image datamay be encapsulated in a data frame. For example, the encapsulation ofthe decoded image data in a data frame may be in conformity with iAP oriAP2.

The communication protocol implemented between the processor 1144 of thebarcode reader 1130 executing the accessory protocol control code 1164and the processor of the host computer define a packet format forcontrol packets 1222 c and data packets 1222 d. A packet 1222 c, 1222 dmay include a header 1226 c, 1226 d and control packet content/data 1230c, 1230 d, respectively. The header 1226 c, 1226 d may include acontrol/data designation 1224 c, 1224 d, respectively, which identifieswhether the packet is a control packet 1222 c or a data packet 1222 d.The header 1226 d of a data packet 1222 d may also include aspecification ID 1228, which is a unique identifier that is assigned tothe barcode reader 1130 and that identifies the type of specificationsof data 1230 d included in the packet 1222 d (i.e., the specificationsto which the data 1230 d will conform).

If the control/data designation 1224 c, 1224 d of a packet provided bythe barcode reader 1130 to the host computer indicates that the packetis a control packet (control/data designation 1224 c), the packet isdelivered to the operating system of the host computer. If thecontrol/data designation 1224 c, 1224 d of a packet provided by thebarcode reader 1130 to the host computer indicates that the packet is adata packet (control/data designation 1224 d), the specification ID 1228identifies the type of specifications of data 1230 d included in thepacket 1222 d (i.e., the specifications to which the data 1230 d willconform), and the host computer (more specifically, the operating systemof the host computer) delivers the data packet 1222 d to an applicationoperating on the host computer based on predefined criteria. Thepredefined criteria may be that the application running on the processorof the host computer is identified as an application designated toaccept data packets with the assigned specification ID 1228 and iscapable of processing the data 1230 d conforming with the specificationsassociated with the assigned specification ID 1228.

If the proprietary communication protocol is iAP2, the specification ID1228 is assigned by Apple to the model of the barcode reader 1130 whenthe barcode reader is certified as a made-for-iPhone, -iPod, -iPad, orsimilar device and the specification to which data 1230 d is provided bythe model of the barcode reader 1130 conform.

The same applies to the packets transmitted from the host computer tothe barcode reader 1130. When a packet 1222 c, 1222 d is communicatedfrom the host computer to the barcode reader 1130 over the wirelesscommunication link, control packets 1222 c may be used by the accessoryprotocol control code 1164 and data packets 1222 d may be used by otherportions of the software or firmware in the barcode reader 1130. Forexample, the applications running on the host computer may sendconfiguration commands to the barcode reader 1130. From the perspectiveof the accessory protocol code, those commands are just data, and otherportions of the barcode reader 1130 that use that data may recognize itas configuration commands.

As an alternative to including the authentication system 181 within thebarcode reader 1130, the barcode reader 1130 may still include theaccessory protocol control code 1164; however, the authentication system181 may be within an accessory which attaches to the barcode reader 1130such as the docking stations 1300, 1400, 1600, 2100, 2000, and 2400.

FIG. 20A depicts a first embodiment of circuitry 410 which may beimplemented in any of the docking stations referenced above. FIG. 20Adepicts the barcode reader 1130 being coupled to the circuitry 410 ofthe docking station via a connection 406 which may be the connectionbetween the power/data contacts of the barcode reader 1130 and the powerdata contacts of the docking station.

The circuitry 410 includes a first power data interface (barcodeinterface) 412, a second power/data interface (USB interface) 428, and awireless interface 416. The circuitry 410 may also include a processor420, memory 423, the authentication system 181, and power interfacecircuits 414. The memory 423 may include a point-to-point interfacedriver for point-to-point communications between the barcode reader/thehost computer and the circuitry 400, a relay code 427 for relaying databetween the barcode reader/the host computer and the circuitry 400, andan RF circuit driver for wireless communication between the barcodereader/host computer and the circuitry 400.

The first power/data interface (barcode interface) 412 may provide powerand serial communication between the circuitry 410 and the barcodereader 1130 through the power/data contacts of the docking stationcoupled to the power data contacts of the barcode reader 1130.

The second power/data interface 428 may be, for example, a USB interface(operating as a USB non-host) for coupling to: i) a power source; or ii)a mating USB port of the host computer (operating as a USB host) via amulti-conductor cable 432 and a connector 430.

The docking station may optionally include a battery 425 to providecharging power to the barcode reader 1130 as well as operating systemswithin the docking station when the docking station itself isbattery-powered and not coupled to a power source by the secondpower/data interface 428.

The wireless interface 416 may be, for example, a Bluetooth® interfacefor communicating with a Bluetooth® of the host computer utilizing anycommunication mode supported by Bluetooth® including a keyboard mode, aUSB mode, and a Serial Port Profile (SPP) mode. Any other wireless localarea network (WLAN) interface may also be used.

In operation, the circuitry 410 may operate in both a command mode and apass through mode. When in a command mode, the processor 420 executingfirmware within the circuitry 410 receives and processes informationsent by the barcode reader 1130, including providing responses torequests from the barcode reader 1130. When in a pass through mode, theprocessor 420 executing firmware within the circuitry 410 passes theinformation (e.g., data frames) received from the barcode reader 1130 tothe host computer by one of the second power/data interface 428 or thewireless interface 416. Passing the information received from thebarcode reader 1130 to the host computer may include converting theinformation from the serial port profile format as received by the firstpower/data interface 412 to the applicable one of: i) a keyboard formatfor wireless transmission to the host computer via the wirelessinterface 416; ii) a serial port profile format for transmission to thehost computer via the wireless interface 416; or iii) a USB format forwired or wireless transmission to the host computer via the secondpower/data interface 428 or the wireless interface 416.

In either the command mode or the pass through mode, the processor 420executing firmware within the circuitry 410 may pass information (e.g.,data frames) received from the host computer to the barcode reader 1130.Passing the information received from the host computer to the barcodereader 1130 may include converting the information from the serial portprofile, keyboard, or USB format as received by the circuitry 410 to theserial port profile format used for transmission to the barcode reader1130 via the first power/data interface 412.

Referring to FIG. 20B in conjunction with FIG. 20A, step 1402 representsthe barcode reader 1130 utilizing a command mode to direct the circuitry410 (e.g., the RF circuit drivers 424 and the wireless interface 416) toenter a discoverable mode. In response thereto, the processor 420executing the applicable firmware places the circuitry 410 (e.g., the RFcircuit drivers 424 and the wireless interface 416) into a discoverablemode.

When in a discoverable mode the host computer 1331 may initiateformation of a secure RF connection (e.g., a Bluetooth pairing) betweenthe RF systems of the host computer 1331 and the circuitry 410 at step1404. The paring may be performed in response to a user of the hostcomputer 1331 selecting the circuitry 410 for pairing. Upon completionof pairing, the processor 420, executing firmware of the circuitry 410may, for example, illuminate an indicator light 411 to signal that asecure wireless communication connection has been established betweenthe circuitry 410 and the host computer 1331. Alternatively, theprocessor 420 may activate generation of other signals, such as audiblesignals or vibrations to signal establishment of the secure wirelesscommunication connection.

Steps 1406 through 1422 represent an authentication process of theexternally powered barcode reader 1130 to the host computer as a trustedaccessory. In general, the authentication of the barcode reader 1130 tothe host computer utilizes the steps described in FIG. 19A with theexception that steps performed by the authentication system 181 withinthe barcode reader 1130 are performed by the authentication system 181within the docking station.

Step 1406 represents the host computer sending a request for anaccessory identifier to the circuitry 410. This request may be sent whena communication link is first established between the circuitry 410 andthe host computer. The processor 420 of the circuitry 410 forwards allcommunications received from the host computer 1331 to the externallypowered barcode reader 1130. Therefore, the request for the accessoryidentifier is forwarded to the barcode reader 1130.

In one embodiment, the accessory identifier may be generated by thebarcode reader 1130 or may be a digital certificate stored within thememory of the barcode reader 1130. Alternatively, in another embodiment,the accessory identifier may be generated by the circuitry 410 or may bea digital certificate stored by the circuitry 410.

Steps 1408 and 1410 are steps utilized when the accessory identifier isgenerated by the circuitry 410 or is a digital certificate stored by thecircuitry 410. More particularly, step 1408 represents the barcodereader 1130 using a command mode to direct the circuitry 410 to provideits accessory identifier to the barcode reader 1130. In responsethereto, the processor 420 of the circuitry 410 executing the applicablefirmware may query the authentication system 181 for an accessoryidentifier. As discussed, the accessory identifier may be generated bythe authentication system 181 and/or may be a digital certificate. Theauthentication system 181 may then return the accessory identifier tothe processor 420. Communication between the processor 420 and theauthentication system 181 (which may be a coprocessor) may be performedby way of I2C communication over an internal bus.

Step 1410 represents the processor 420 of the circuitry 410 returningthe accessory identifier to the barcode reader 1130. Step 1412represents the barcode reader 1130 using a pass through mode to returnthe accessory identifier to the host computer through the circuitry 410.As discussed, in the pass through mode the processor 420 of thecircuitry 410 forwards the communication received from the barcodereader 1130 to the host computer.

After validating the accessory identifier, the host computer may send anauthentication challenge to the circuitry 410 at step 1414. Theauthentication challenge may be a random number encrypted with a publicencryption key of the digital certificate. As discussed, the processor420 of the circuitry 410 passes the authentication challenge receivedfrom the host computer to the barcode reader 1130.

Step 1416 represents the barcode reader 1130 utilizing a command mode toprovide the authentication challenge to the processor 420 of thecircuitry 410 and to direct the processor 420 to return anauthentication response. In response thereto the processor 420 of thecircuitry 410 presents the authentication challenge to theauthentication system 418, obtains an authentication response from theauthentication system 418, and provides the authentication response backto the barcode reader 1130 at step 1418.

After receiving the authentication response from the circuitry 410, thebarcode reader 1130 returns the authentication response to the hostcomputer through the circuitry 410 using a pass through mode at step1420. When the authentication response is sent using a pass throughmode, the processor 420 of the circuitry 410 receiving theauthentication response forwards it to the host computer.

If the barcode reader 1130 has properly authenticated as a trustedaccessory, the host computer may authorize communication with thebarcode reader 1130 at step 1422. Again, the processor 420 of theinterface system passes the authorization to the barcode reader 1130.

After authentication the barcode reader 1130 is capable of communicatingwith the host computer via the circuitry 410 using a pass through mode.After authentication, the ready state may be indicated to a user by thecircuitry 410 or by the barcode reader 1130. The circuitry 410 may senda message to the barcode reader 1130 (via the first power/data interface412 and the connector 404) confirming completion of authentication, andthe barcode reader 1130 may generate a signal (for example illuminationof an indicator light, generation of an audible signal, or activation ofa vibration motor) to notify the user of completion of authenticationand the ready state. Alternatively, the circuitry 410 may generate asignal (for example illumination of an indicator light, generation of anaudible signal, or activation of a vibration motor within a housingportion of the docking station) to notify the user of completion ofauthentication and the ready state.

Step 1424 represents the barcode reader 1130 providing decoded data tothe host computer via the circuitry 410 using a pass through mode. Thebarcode reader 1130 may package the decoded data as a data packet, asdescribed with respect to FIG. 19C. The packaging includes formattingand/or supplementing the decoded data so that it conforms to thespecification ID 1228 and adding a header to the data which includesidentification of the packet as a custom data packet and thespecification ID 1228.

Step 1426 represents the barcode reader 1130 sending control packets tothe host computer via the circuitry 410 using a pass through mode. Step1428 represents the host computer sending custom data packets to thebarcode reader 1130 via the circuitry 410. Step 1430 represents the hostcomputer 1331 sending control packets to the barcode reader 1130 via thecircuitry 410. A control or configuration application operating on thehost computer 1331 may generate configuration control commands for thebarcode reader 1130 and send them to the barcode reader 1130 via thecircuitry 410.

The host computer 1331 packages the control or configuration commands ascustom data packets as previously described. This may include, asdescribed with respect to FIG. 19C, formatting and/or supplementing thecontrol or configuration commands so that they conform to thespecification ID 1228 and adding a header to the data which includesidentification of the packet as a custom data packet and thespecification ID 1228. Even though a configuration or control commandmay be a control command to the barcode reader 1130, it is data forpurposes of the protocol communications between the circuitry 410 andthe host computer.

FIG. 21A depicts a second embodiment of circuitry 410 which may beimplemented in any of the docking stations described above. FIG. 21Adepicts the barcode reader 1130 being coupled to the circuitry 410 ofthe docking station via a connection 406 which may be the connectionbetween the power/data contacts of the barcode reader and the power datacontacts of the docking station.

The circuitry 410 includes a power data interface (barcode interface)412 and a power interface 413. The circuitry 410 may also include aprocessor 420, memory 423, the authentication system 181, and powerinterface circuits 414.

The power/data interface (barcode interface) 412 may provide power andserial communication between the circuitry 410 and the barcode reader1130 through the power/data contacts of the docking station coupled tothe power data contacts of the barcode reader 1130.

The power interface 413 provides power to the power interface 413 forproviding charging power to the barcode reader 1130 as well as operatingsystems within the docking station. The docking station may optionallyinclude battery 425 to provide charging power to the barcode reader 1130as well as operating systems within the docking station when the dockingstation itself is battery-powered and not coupled to a power source bythe power interface 413.

In operation, the processor 420 executing firmware within the circuitry410 receives and processes information sent by the barcode reader 1130,including providing responses to requests from the barcode reader 1130.

Referring to FIG. 21B in conjunction with FIG. 21A, steps 1432 through1448 represent an authentication process of the barcode reader 1130 tothe host computer 1331 as a trusted accessory to facilitatecommunication between the barcode reader 1130 and the host computer 1331utilizing the wireless LAN interface 1142 a or the wirelesspoint-to-point interface 1142 b of the barcode reader 1130.

In general, the authentication of the barcode reader 1130 to the hostcomputer 1331 utilizes the steps described in FIG. 19A with theexception that steps performed by the authentication system 181 withinthe barcode reader 1130 are performed by the authentication system 181within the docking station.

Step 1432 represents the host computer 1331 sending a request for anaccessory identifier to the barcode reader 1130. This request may besent when a communication link is first established between the barcodereader 1130 and the host computer 1331 via wireless LAN or wirelesspoint-to-point communication.

In one embodiment, the accessory identifier may be generated by thebarcode reader 1130 or may be a digital certificate stored within thememory of the barcode reader 1130. Alternatively, in another embodiment,the accessory identifier may be generated by the circuitry 410 or may bea digital certificate stored by the circuitry 410.

Steps 1434 and 1436 are steps utilized when the accessory identifier isgenerated by the circuitry 410 or is a digital certificate stored by thecircuitry 410. More particularly, step 1434 represents the barcodereader 1130 directing the circuitry 410 to provide its accessoryidentifier to the barcode reader 1130. In response thereto, theprocessor 420 of the circuitry 410 executing the applicable firmware mayquery the authentication system 181 for an accessory identifier. Asdiscussed, the accessory identifier may be generated by theauthentication system 181 and/or may be a digital certificate. Theauthentication system 181 may then return the accessory identifier tothe processor 420. Communication between the processor 420 and theauthentication system 181 (which may be a coprocessor) may be performedby way of I2C communication over an internal bus.

Step 1436 represents the processor 420 of the circuitry 410 returningthe accessory identifier to the barcode reader 1130. Step 1438represents the barcode reader 1130 returning the accessory identifier tothe host computer 1331 via its wireless LAN interface or wirelesspoint-to-point interface with the host computer.

After validating the accessory identifier, the host computer 1331 maysend an authentication challenge to barcode reader 1130 at step 1440.The authentication challenge may be a random number encrypted with apublic encryption key of the digital certificate.

Step 1442 represents the barcode reader 1130 providing theauthentication challenge to the processor 420 of the circuitry 410 anddirecting the processor 420 to return an authentication response. Inresponse thereto the processor 420 of the circuitry 410 presents theauthentication challenge to the authentication system 181, obtains anauthentication response from the authentication system 181, and providesthe authentication response back to the barcode reader 1130 at step1444.

After receiving the authentication response from the circuitry 410, thebarcode reader 1130 returns the authentication response to the hostcomputer 1331 via its wireless LAN or wireless point-to-point connectionwith the host computer at step 1446.

If the barcode reader 1130 has properly authenticated as a trustedaccessory, the host computer 1331 may authorize communication with thebarcode reader 1130 at step 1448.

After authentication the barcode reader 1130 is capable of communicatingwith the host computer 1331 via its wireless LAN or wirelesspoint-to-point communication connection with the host computer 1331.After authentication, the ready state may be indicated to a user by thebarcode reader 1130.

Step 1450 represents the barcode reader 1130 providing decoded data tothe host computer 1331. The barcode reader 1130 may package the decodeddata as a custom data packet, as described with respect to FIG. 19C. Thepackaging includes formatting and/or supplementing the decoded data sothat it conforms to the specification ID 1228 and adding a header to thedata which includes identification of the packet as a custom data packetand the specification ID 1228.

Step 1452 represents the barcode reader 1130 sending control packets tothe host computer 1331. Step 1454 represents the host computer 1331sending custom data packets to the barcode reader 1130. Step 1456represents the host computer 1331 sending control packets to the barcodereader 1130. In step 1456, a control or configuration applicationoperating on the host computer 1331 may generate control orconfiguration commands for the barcode reader 1130 and send them to thebarcode reader 1130.

The host computer 1331 may package the control or configuration commandsas custom data packets as previously described. This may include, asdescribed with respect to FIG. 19C, formatting and/or supplementing thecontrol or configuration commands so that they conform to thespecification ID 1228 and adding a header to the data which includesidentification of the packet as a custom data packet and thespecification ID 1228.

FIG. 22 is a top-down view of certain optic components of the barcodereader 1130 in accordance with the present disclosure. The componentsinclude a camera 103 and the illumination system 1136. The camera 103 isconfigured to capture an image of a barcode within a field of view 106of the camera 103. The field of view 106 of the camera 103 is directedalong an optical axis 114 of the camera 103. The camera 103 may includethe photo sensor array 102 and a lens 104 that focuses illuminationreflected from objects (e.g., a barcode) within the field of view 106onto the photo sensor array 102. The optical axis of the camera 103 maybe the optical axis of the lens 104. The camera 103 may be located neara center of the optical substrate 122 in one or more of the verticaldimension and the horizontal dimension.

The illumination system 1136 is configured to illuminate the barcodewhile the camera 103 captures an image of the barcode. The illuminationsystem 1136 may include one or more illumination systems 1136 a-c inFIG. 18A.

Referring to both FIGS. 18A and 22, the illumination system 1136 a maybe a diffuse illumination system which includes an optical substrate122. Light introduced into the optical substrate by at least one lightsource propagates between a front major surface 140 and a back majorsurface 138 in a direction traverse to the optical axis 114 of thecamera 103. Light is mixed by total internal reflection as it travelswithin the optical substrate 122, and one or more extraction featuresincluded in the optical substrate 122 allow light to be removed from theoptical substrate 122 in a directed intensity pattern. By allowing thelight to mix as it propagates within the optical substrate 122, thepropagating light loses any structure imparted onto it by the one ormore light sources.

The optical substrate 122 has a front major surface 140 and a back majorsurface 138 arranged generally perpendicular to the optical axis 114.Light is introduced from the at least one light source 120 between thefront major surface 140 and the back major surface 138 (also illustratedin FIGS. 23A-23E and 24A-24C). The introduced light is transferred bytotal internal reflection through the optical substrate 122 between thefront major surface 140 and the back major surface 138 in a directiontransverse to the optical axis 114. For example, in FIG. 22, lightpropagates through the optical substrate 122 in a direction generallyperpendicular to the optical axis 114. In an alternative embodimentdepicted in the cross sectional views of the optical substrate 122 ofFIGS. 24B and 24C, the at least one light source 120 introduces lightinto the optical substrate 122 through the back major surface 138. Inthis example, the optical substrate 122 has a chamfered surface 125 thatreflects light in direction 191 through total internal reflectiontowards the optical axis 114.

As shown in the front view of the optical substrate 122 in FIG. 23A, andin the cross sectional views of the optical substrate 122 in FIGS. 24Aand 24D-24F, the at least one light source 120 may be positionedadjacent an edge 186 of the optical substrate 122. In thisconfiguration, as shown in FIG. 23A, light may exit the at least onelight source 120 through a single light-emitting surface (light leavingthe light-emitting surface is represented by arrows 190 a-d).

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 23B and FIGS. 24B and 24C, the at leastone light source 120 may be positioned on the back major surface 138 atlocations 121 a-f. In this configuration light may exit the at least onelight source 120 through a single light-emitting surface and bereflected from the chamfered surface 125 and directed towards theoptical axis in direction 191.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 23C, the at least one light source 120may be positioned in locations 121 a-f (which is a recess in the opticalsubstrate 122). In this example, the at least one light source 120 mayemit light from multiple light-emitting surfaces and the light from allof the light-emitting surfaces may enter the optical substrate 122.

Referring to FIG. 23D, the at least one light source 120 may be reducedto four (4) light sources, each of which is arranged on one exterioredge of the optical substrate 122 at a location that is not centered onthe edge. For example, light source 120 a may be on a side edge lowerthan the center while light source 120 c may be on the opposing sidehigher than the center. Light source 120 d may be on the top edge to theright of center while light source 120 b may be on the bottom edge tothe left of center.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23A, the one or more light sources 120 maycomprise multiple light-emitting diodes (LEDs). As will be understood byone of ordinary skill in the art, the one or more light sources 120 maycomprise any suitable light-emitting device. Further, the multiple lightsources 120 may emit illumination with different characteristics. Forexample, a portion of the light sources 120 may be white LEDs whileanother portion may be red LEDs, or LEDs of another color.

As shown in FIG. 22, the optical substrate 122 may comprise asubstantially flat plate. For example, the optical substrate 122 maycomprise a clear and colorless acrylic substrate which may be made fromany other material suitable for transferring light by total internalreflection. The optical substrate 122 may be positioned within thebarcode reader 1130 so that a front major surface 140 and a back majorsurface 138 of the optical substrate 122 are located in a plane that issubstantially perpendicular to the optical axis 114. In one embodiment,“substantially perpendicular” means within five degrees of perpendicularwhile in an alternative embodiment substantially perpendicular meanswithin 15 or 20 degrees of perpendicular.

The light emitted from the optical substrate 122 may have differentcharacteristics depending on the characteristics of the opticalsubstrate 122. For example, the optical substrate 122 may utilizerefraction, diffusion, prismatic effect, and/or total internalreflection to direct more diffuse bright field illumination 124 into thefield of view 106. Depending on the properties of the optical substrate122 and the at least one light source 120, the illumination system maybe referred to as a diffuse bright field illumination system. Thediffuse bright field illumination system may also be called a midfieldillumination system or a medium field illumination system.

In one embodiment, the light emitted from the optical substrate 122 maybe emitted substantially parallel to the optical axis 114. For example,light may be emitted within 10 degrees of parallel to the optical axis114. Illumination having a smaller angle spread around the optical axis114 may be referred to herein as diffuse bright field illumination 124.

Alternatively, referring to FIGS. 25A to 25C, the optical substrate 122may be shaped such that the shape of the front major surface 140 and/orthe back major surface 138 is concave, convex, parabolic, or somecombination thereof. For example, as shown in FIG. 25A, the opticalsubstrate 122 has a generally concave front major surface 140 and aconvex back major surface 138, while in FIG. 25B, the optical substrate122 has a generally convex front major surface 140 and a concave backmajor surface 138. The shape of at least one of the front major surfaceand the back major surface need not be symmetrical, but may beasymmetrical about a plane perpendicular to the optical axis 114. InFIG. 25C, the front major surface 140 may include three generally planarsections with the central section being generally perpendicular to theoptical axis 114 and two generally planar sections adjacent to, and onopposing sides, of the central section being at an angle relative to theoptical axis 114. In one embodiment the angle may be no greater than 45degrees. In this embodiment the back major surface 138 may also includecorresponding sections with the central section being generallyperpendicular to the optical axis 114 and two generally planar sectionsadjacent to, and on opposing sides of, the central section, the centralsection being at an angle relative to the optical axis 114. In oneembodiment, the angle of the two opposing sides of the back majorsurface 138 may be the same angle as the two opposing sides of the frontmajor surface 140. In another embodiment the angle may be different.

The light emitted by the configurations shown FIGS. 25A-25C may beemitted at different angles relative to the optical axis 114 compared tothe illumination system 105 depicted in FIG. 22. The illumination system105 with these configurations is a diffuse bright field illuminationsystem providing uniform illumination for barcodes applied to aconcave/convex surface.

In embodiments in which the illumination system 105 emits diffuse light,the illumination may be optimal for reading a barcode that has areflective surface that is located in a near zone 158 and/or a centerzone 126 of the field of view 106. The center zone 126 may begin at acenter zone starting boundary 128 and end at a center zone endingboundary 130. The center zone starting boundary 128 is closer to thebarcode reader 1130 than to a far zone starting boundary 118. Forexample, the center zone starting boundary 128 may be locatedapproximately 25 mm away from the barcode reader 1130. The center zoneending boundary 130 may be located within the far zone 116. Thus, thecenter zone 126 and the far zone 116 may overlap.

As discussed, the optical substrate 122 may be positioned between theone or more light sources 120. For example, as shown in FIGS. 22 and23A, the one or more light sources 120 may be located along an edge 186of the optical substrate 122 that is located between the front majorsurface 140 and the back major surface 138. The one or more lightsources 120 introduce light into the edge 186 of the optical substrate.In FIG. 22, light is introduced from the one or more light sources 120into the optical substrate 122 in a direction generally perpendicular tothe optical axis 114 and generally towards the optical axis 114.

For example, as shown in FIG. 24B the one or more light sources 120 maybe located along an edge of the back major surface 138 of the opticalsubstrate 122 with the chamfered surface 125 reflecting illumination ina direction between the front major surface 140 and the back majorsurface 138 in a direction generally perpendicular to the optical axis114 and generally towards the optical axis 114.

The center of the optical substrate 122 may include an opening 133 (asshown in FIG. 23E) or an aperture 132 (as shown in FIGS. 23A-23D)through which objects (such as a barcode) within the field of view 106may be visible to the lens 104 and the photo sensor array 102. As shownin FIGS. 23A, 23B, and 23C, the aperture may be rectangular and ofsufficient size such that the optical substrate 122 is not within thefield of view 106 of the camera 103. As shown in FIG. 23E, the opticalsubstrate 122 may have an approximately annular shape where the centeropening 133 of the annular optical substrate 122 is circular and ofsufficient size such that the optical substrate 122 is not within thefield of view 106 of the camera 103.

With continued reference to FIG. 23E, the optical substrate 122 may havean annular shape that includes an outer edge 186 and an inner edge 187.In the depicted embodiment multiple light sources 120 a-d are positionedon the back major surface 138 of the optical substrate 122 and may inputlight into the optical substrate 122 through the back major surface 138.For example, the light sources 120 a-d may be positioned as shown inFIG. 24B or FIG. 24C. In FIGS. 24B and 24C, the light sources 120 a-dinput light through the back major surface 138 in a directionapproximately parallel to the optical axis 114. After entering theoptical substrate 122, the light is reflected by a chamfered surface 125of the outer edge 186. The chamfered surface 125 is configured toreflect light onto a path relatively perpendicular to the optical axis114. In another embodiment (not shown) in which the optical substratehas an annular shape, light enters the optical substrate 122 through theoutside edge 186 in a direction approximately perpendicular to theoptical axis 114.

To prevent the optical substrate 122 from functioning simply as a lightpipe or light guide, the optical substrate 122 may include one or moreextraction features 142 configured to extract light from the opticalsubstrate 122 and into the field of view 106. The extraction features142 may introduce a variation in the index of refraction (i.e., alocation of a non-uniform index of refraction) of the optical substrate122. Each extraction feature 142 functions to disrupt the total internalreflection of the propagating light that is incident on the extractionfeature 142.

As described above with respect to FIGS. 23A and 23D, the illuminationin a direction 190 a-d directed into the edge 186 of the opticalsubstrate 122 generally propagates through the optical substrate 122 dueto total internal reflection. Any illumination in a direction 190 a-dthat is incident on the one or more extraction features 142 may bediffused with a first portion being diffused at an angle such that theillumination continues propagating within the optical substrate 122(based on total internal reflection) and a second portion that may bediffused at an angle (i.e., an escape angle) that overcomes totalinternal reflection, “escapes” the surface, and is directed into thefield of view 106.

The extraction of illumination through the front major surfaceintroduced by the extraction features 142 may comprise at least one of:i) one or more particles within the optical substrate 122, ii) a planarsurface within the optical substrate 122, iii) a variation in thesurface topography of the back major surface 138, and iv) a variation inthe surface topography of the front major surface 140. For example, inFIGS. 24A and 24B, the optical substrate 122 is embedded with extractionfeatures 142 (particles in this example) having an index of refractiongreater or less than the optical substrate 122. As light travels fromthe edge 186 of the optical substrate 122 through total internalreflection towards a center of the optical substrate 122, the particlesdisrupt the total internal reflection of the light, causing a portion ofthe propagating light to exit through the front major surface 140.

The extraction features 142 may be configured to extract light in adefined intensity profile over the front major surface 140, such as auniform intensity profile, and/or a defined light ray angledistribution. In FIG. 24A, the one or more extraction features 142 aredistributed non-uniformly throughout the optical substrate 122. In thisexample, the one or more extraction features 142 are distributedthroughout the optical substrate such that light is uniformly emittedfrom the front major surface 140 of the optical substrate 122. Forexample, the extraction features 142 may be spread throughout theoptical substrate 122 in concentrations that increase with distance fromthe at least one light source 120.

Alternatively, in FIG. 24B, the one or more extraction features 142 maybe distributed uniformly or non-uniformly throughout the opticalsubstrate. In this example, the one or more extraction features aredistributed throughout the optical substrate such that light is notuniformly emitted from the front major surface 140 of the opticalsubstrate 122. Instead the light is emitted from the front major surface140 in a desired intensity pattern. While not shown, the one or moreextraction features 142 may be distributed in alternative patterns thatresult in the light being emitted from the front major surface 140 ofthe optical substrate 122 having a more structured appearance (i.e., anon-uniform intensity pattern).

As shown in FIGS. 24C and 24E, the extraction features 142 may alsocomprise a surface variation in the topography of at least one of thefront major surface 140 and the back major surface 138. In the depictedembodiment of FIG. 24C, the one or more extraction features 142 comprisevariations in the back major surface 138 of the optical substrate 122.In this example, the front major surface 140 of the optical substrate122 is smooth and planar, while the back major surface 138 includestopography of convex and concave indentations and protrusions. In thedepicted embodiment of FIG. 24E, both the back major surface 138 and thefront major surface 140 include extraction features 142 comprisingconvex and concave indentations and protrusions.

These embodiments are configured to result in a homogenous output oflight from the front major surface 140.

The convex and concave indentations and protrusions may be: i)extraction features 142 with specific optical properties, such as microlenses formed by, for example, molding or laser cutting; or ii)extraction features 142 with no specific optic properties (i.e., random)such as a roughened surface formed by any of a textured tool or sandingof the surface after molding. Further, the shape, density, or otheroptical properties of the extraction features 142 may increase withdistance from the light source 120 a-d in order to produce uniformillumination from the optical substrate.

Turning to FIGS. 24D and 24F, the one or more extraction features 142comprise a surface within the optical substrate 122. In this embodiment,the optical substrate 122 may be made of two different materials 546,548. These materials 546, 548 may have different indices of refraction,and they may be in contact with one another. In FIG. 24D, the contact isalong a surface forming the one or more extraction features 142. In FIG.24F the contact is along a surface of convex and concave shapes, eitherpatterned or random. Refraction at the one or more extraction features142 directs illumination towards the front major surface 140 of theoptical substrate 122 at an angle where the illumination exits the frontmajor surface 140 towards the field of view 106. As a variation to theseembodiments, the materials 546, 548 may have the same index ofrefraction, but a material with a different index of refraction may besandwiched between the materials 546, 548 at the non-planar contactsurface.

As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the opticalsubstrate 122 and the extraction features 142 are not limited to thesedescribed embodiments. Other embodiments of the optical substrate 122including extraction features 142 are also within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

In all of these embodiments, to further increase the quantity ofillumination exiting through the front major surface 140, a reflectivebacking 144 may be applied to the back major surface 138. The reflectivebacking 144 may be applied uniformly such that it covers the entire backmajor surface 138. The reflective backing 144 reduces the amount oflight that escapes through the back major surface 138 by reflectinglight back inward into the optical substrate 122. In another embodiment,a cladding film (not shown) having an index of refraction less than theindex of refraction of the optical substrate 122 is adjacent the backmajor surface 138. The cladding film reduces the amount of light thatescapes by reflecting light inward through total internal reflection.Similarly, all edges and surfaces of the optical substrate 122 (exceptfor the edges 186 where the one or more light sources 120 a-d projectillumination into the optical substrate 122) may also be coated with areflective backing 144.

Depending on the properties of the illumination system 105, the lightemitted by the illumination system 105 from the one or more lightsources 120 may not be sufficiently bright to provide optimalillumination for reading a barcode that is located farther away from thebarcode reader 1130 than the center zone ending boundary 130. For thisreason, as shown in FIG. 22, the illumination system may comprise atleast one secondary light source 108. The at least one secondary lightsource 108 may be referred to as a direct bright field illuminationsystem or a far field illumination system. Light from the at least onesecondary light source 108 that is emitted by the illumination system105 may converge at a point on the optical axis 114 that is differentfrom the point along the optical axis 114 that light from the at leastone light source 120 converges. For example, the light may be emitted bythe illumination system 105 at an angle closer to parallel to theoptical axis 114, for example at a convergence angle of approximately 70degrees, than the light from the at least one light source 120 that isemitted by the illumination system 105.

The at least one secondary light source 108 a-b may comprise one or moreLEDs, which may be positioned behind refracting and/or diffusing optics110 a-b. The one or more secondary light sources 108 a-b may directillumination 112 into the field of view 106 substantially parallel tothe optical axis 114 but with a slight convergence angle. For example,the one or more secondary light sources 108 a-b may direct illuminationinto the field of view 106 at an angle from 0-30 degrees from theoptical axis 114. This illumination 112 may be referred to herein asdirect bright field illumination 112 or far field illumination. Asindicated above, the optical axis 114 is a line originating from thecenter of the focusing lens 104 and extending outward into the center ofthe field of view 106.

Light emitted by the illumination system from the at least one secondarylight source may be better suited for reading a barcode with a diffusesurface such as a paper label. Light emitted by the illumination systemfrom the at least one secondary light source may also be optimal forreading a barcode that is located in a far zone 116 of the field of view106, i.e., an area of the field of view 106 that is relatively far awayfrom the barcode reader 1130. In other words, light from the at leastone secondary light source may have a sufficient intensity to illuminatea barcode that is located within the far zone 116. The far zone 116 maybegin at a far zone starting boundary 118 and end at a far zone endingboundary 119. In one implementation, the far zone starting boundary 118may be located about 75 mm away from the barcode reader 1130. The brightfield illumination 112 may not be sufficiently diffuse to provideoptimal illumination for reading a barcode that has a reflectivesurface. For longer range reading, the illumination system mayadditionally comprise a focus lens associated with the at least onesecondary light source in order to provide illumination for reading abarcode that is located farther away from the barcode reader 1130 thanthe far zone ending boundary 119.

The optical substrate 122 may further include apertures 134 a-b thatpermit the direct bright field illumination 112 (from the at least onesecondary light source 108 a-b) to be directed into the field of view106 without being affected by the optical substrate 122. Further yet,the optical substrate 122 may include apertures 136 a-b that permittargeting illumination from targeting light sources 109 a-b (as shown inFIG. 22) mounted behind the optical substrate 122 to be projected intothe field of view 106 without being affected by the optical substrate122.

The secondary light source may include secondary light sources 108 a,108 b. Secondary light sources 108 a, 108 b may be behind tertiary lightsources 152 a-b (discussed herein) which are behind diffusors 154 a, 154b. The secondary light sources 108 a, 108 b may be in front of thetertiary light sources 152 a, 152 b. The secondary light sources mayalso be positioned in front of the light sources 120 a, 120 b but behindthe tertiary light sources 152 a-b.

The surfaces of the apertures 132, 134 a-b, 136 a-b within the opticalsubstrate 122 may be coated with an opaque reflective material (notshown). This material may cause illumination within the opticalsubstrate 122 that is incident on the surface of a particular apertureto be reflected back into the optical substrate 122 regardless of itsangle of incidence. Reflecting illumination back into the opticalsubstrate 122 prevents illumination from exiting the optical substrate122 through the surface of any aperture at an angle where it wouldilluminate the region behind the optical substrate 122, such as directlyilluminating the lens 104 and degrading the quality of the image of anobject within the field of view 106.

Referring again to FIG. 22, the illumination system 105 may also includeat least one tertiary light source 152. Light from the at least onetertiary light source 152 may be emitted by the illumination system 105at an angle closer to perpendicular to the optical axis 114 than thelight from either of the at least one light source 120 or the at leastone secondary light source 108 that is emitted by the illuminationsystem 105. The at least one tertiary light source 152 may comprisemultiple LEDs. Additional optics (e.g., diffusers) may also beassociated with the at least one tertiary light source 152 to directillumination to the field of view 106. The additional optics may utilizerefraction, diffusion, prismatic effect, and/or total internalreflection to direct illumination 156 a-b into the field of view 106.

The at least one tertiary light source 152 may be referred to as a darkfield illumination system or a near field illumination system. Lightemitted by the illumination system from the at least one tertiary lightsource may be referred to herein as dark field illumination 156 a-b.Light from the at least one tertiary light source may be emitted by theillumination system (i.e., the dark field illumination 156 a-b) at anangle no more than 45 degrees from a plane perpendicular to the opticalaxis 114.

The dark field illumination 156 a-b may be optimal for reading a barcodethat is located within a near zone 158 of the field of view 106. Thenear zone 158 may begin at a near zone starting boundary 160 and may endat a near zone ending boundary 162. The near zone starting boundary 160may be closer to the barcode reader 1130 than to the center zonestarting boundary 128. The near zone starting boundary 160 maycorrespond to the face of the barcode reader 1130. The near zone endingboundary 162 may be within the center zone 126. Thus, the near zone 158and the center zone 126 may overlap. However, the dark fieldillumination 156 a-b may not be sufficiently bright to provide optimalillumination for reading a barcode that is located farther away from thebarcode reader 1130 than from the near zone ending boundary 162.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 22, the at least one tertiary lightsource 152 a-b is mounted on circuit boards. The optics (e.g.,diffusers) 154 a-b may comprise lenses, gratings, or diffusion materialthat diffuses the dark field illumination 156 a-b from the at least onetertiary light source 152.

With reference to FIG. 26, an alternative embodiment of the barcodereader 1130 is depicted. In this embodiment, the at least one tertiarylight source 152 a-b is mounted on a circuit board 792 that issubstantially perpendicular to the optical axis 114. Illumination 776a-b from the at least one tertiary light sources 152 a-b is directedsubstantially parallel to the optical axis 114 toward prism optics 778a-b. More specifically, the at least one tertiary light source 152 a-bmay project illumination 776 a-b into light pipes 788 a-b, which usetotal internal reflection to propagate the illumination 776 a-b towardthe prism optics 778 a-b. The prism optics 778 a-b are used to re-directthe illumination 776 a-b toward the field of view 106 at the desiredangle.

The light pipes 788 a-b may comprise chamfered ends. These chamferedends may serve as the prism optics 778 a-b that re-direct theillumination 776 a-b toward the field of view 106. Each of the chamferedends may be angled such that total internal reflection redirects theillumination 776 a-b at a non-zero angle (e.g., 45 degrees) relative tothe plane that is perpendicular to the optical axis 114. Theillumination 776 a-b may exit the light pipes 788 a-b through the sidefacing the optical axis 114. It should be appreciated that the lightpipes 788 a-b are shown in cross section and may be on each side of thecamera (i.e., all four sides, left, right, top, bottom) or may even forman annular ring around the field of view of the camera.

Turning to FIG. 27, another embodiment of the barcode reader 1130 isshown. In this embodiment, the optical substrate 880 forms a protectivewindow over optical substrate 122 and replaces the optics 110 a-b and154 a-b of FIG. 22. In this example, the at least one tertiary lightsource 152 comprises LEDs positioned behind diffusion regions 884 a-b ofthe optical substrate 880. The diffusion regions 884 a-b diffuse directdark field illumination 856 a-b from the tertiary light source 152 a-binto the field of view 106. The curved regions 882 a-b providestructural support for the diffusion regions 884 a-b as well as focusthe illumination projected from secondary light sources 108 a, 108 b orsecondary illumination sources 115 a, 115 b.

Turning to FIG. 28, another embodiment of the barcode reader 1130 isshown. In this embodiment, the optical substrate 881 forms a protectivewindow over optical substrate 122 and replaces the optics 110 a-b ofFIG. 22.

As shown in FIG. 29A, the diffusion region 884 may include an opticalsubstrate 811 into which illumination 815 a-b is projected by two sidefire illuminators 813 a-b. The illumination 815 a-b is internallyreflected within the optical substrate 811 and extracted as dark fieldillumination 856 from the optical substrate 811. The optical substrate811 may have any of the same characteristics and extraction features asthe optical substrate 122 previously described with respect to FIGS. 22,23A-23D, 24A-24F, and 25A-25C as well as reflective coatings such thatthe illumination 815 a-b propagates between a front major surface 140and a back major surface 138 of the optical substrate 811 and isextracted through the front major surface as dark field illumination856.

As shown in FIG. 29B, the diffusion region 884 may include an opticalsubstrate 821 into which illumination 825 a-b is projected through theback major surface by two illuminators 819 a-b. The illumination 825 a-bis reflected from chamfered surfaces 823 such that it propagates betweenthe front major surface and the back major surface and is extracted asdark field illumination 856 from the optical substrate 821. As withoptical substrate 811, the optical substrate 821 may have any of thesame characteristics and extraction features as the optical substrate122 previously described with respect to FIGS. 22, 23A-D, 24A-F, and25A-C as well as reflective coatings such that the illumination 825 a-bpropagates between a front major surface 140 and a back major surface138 of the optical substrate 821 and is extracted through the frontmajor surface as dark field illumination 856.

The diffusion regions 884 a-b direct dark field illumination 856 a-bfrom the LEDs into the field of view 106. The curved regions 882 a-bprovide structural support for and focus the illumination projected fromsecondary light sources 108 a, 108 b or secondary illumination sources115 a, 115 b. Posts 883 a and 883 b (shown in FIG. 28) providestructural support for the dark field illumination systems (i.e.,diffusion regions 884 a-b) and prevent illumination from entering intothe curved regions 882 a-b.

The previous discussion has been directed to a barcode reader thatincludes three different light sources: at least one secondary lightsource (a bright field illumination system positioned as any of: i)closer to (i.e., in front of) the field of view than to the tertiarylight sources, ii) behind the tertiary light sources but in front of thediffuse bright field illumination sources; or iii) behind the diffusebright field illumination sources and the optical substrate 122, atleast one light source (i.e., a diffuse bright field illuminationsystem), and at least one tertiary light source (i.e., a dark fieldillumination system).

It should also be appreciated that each of these illumination sourcesmay generate illumination with different characteristics. For example,the diffuse bright field illumination may be white LEDs (i.e.,illumination with intensity across a wide spectrum of wave lengths)while the tertiary light source and the secondary light source may bered LEDs (i.e., intensity at 660 nm).

These three illumination systems can be independently operated such thata barcode can be read with the illumination system that provides thebest illumination for reading the barcode. The discussion that followsincludes some examples of how this may be accomplished. Although some ofthese examples involve only two different illumination systems, thoseexamples may be extended to barcode readers that include three (or more)different illumination systems.

As used herein, the phrase “substantially parallel” means within fivedegrees of parallel. In another embodiment, substantially parallel meanswithin 15 degrees of parallel. In another embodiment, substantiallyparallel means within 20 degrees of parallel.

As used herein, the phrase “substantially perpendicular” means withinfive degrees of perpendicular. In another embodiment, substantiallyperpendicular means within 15 degrees of perpendicular. In anotherembodiment, substantially perpendicular means within 20 degrees ofperpendicular.

As used herein, the term “determining” encompasses a wide variety ofactions and, therefore, “determining” can include calculating,computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g.,looking up in a table, a database or another data structure),ascertaining and the like. Also, “determining” can include receiving(e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in amemory) and the like. Also, “determining” can include resolving,selecting, choosing, establishing and the like.

As used herein, the phrase “based on” does not mean “based only on,”unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase “basedon” describes both “based only on” and “based at least on.”

One or more of the features, functions, procedures, operations,components, elements, structures, etc., described in connection with anyone of the configurations described herein may be combined with one ormore of the functions, procedures, operations, components, elements,structures, etc., described in connection with any of the otherconfigurations described herein, where compatible.

In more detail, any of the features, functions, procedures, operations,components, elements, and structures, described with respect to any ofthe barcode readers 1100, 2500, or FIG. 18A may be utilized with anyother barcode readers. Similarly any of the features, functions,procedures, operations, components, elements, and structures, describedwith respect to any of the docking stations 1300, 1400, 1600, 2100, 2000may be utilized with any other docking station.

The steps and/or actions of the methods described herein may beinterchanged with one another without departing from the scope of theclaims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions isrequired for proper operation of the method that is being described, theorder and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modifiedwithout departing from the scope of the claims.

The claims are not limited to the specific implementations describedabove. Various modifications, changes and variations may be made in thearrangement, operation and details of the implementations describedherein without departing from the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pen-shaped barcode scanning device comprising:a housing with a generally cylindrical portion sized to be held in anindividual's hand in a writing position; a capacitive tip positioned atone end of the housing for use as a stylus against a capacitive touchscreen; and a barcode reader positioned at another end of the housingfor reading a barcode.
 2. The barcode scanning device of claim 1,comprising: a mating surface configured to position against acorresponding mating surface of a docking station when the barcodescanning device is positioned for charging; a plurality of chargingcontacts, including at least one charging contact for power and at leastone charging contact for ground, to be coupled to mating contacts on thedocking station when the barcode scanning device is positioned againstthe mating surface of the docking station; and a magnetic structure forholding the barcode scanning device against the mating surface of thedocking station.
 3. The barcode scanning device of claim 2, furthercomprising: a positioning structure for aligning the barcode scanningdevice against the mating surface of the docking station when thebarcode scanning device is positioned against the mating surface of thedocking station.
 4. The barcode scanning device of claim 3, wherein thepositioning structure includes a cross section at a base end of thepositioning structure adjacent to the mating surface which is largerthan a cross section at a distal end of the positioning structure spacedaway from the mating surface such that when the barcode scanning deviceis imprecisely aligned with the distal end, the positioning structureguides the barcode scanning device into precise alignment with the baseend when the barcode scanning device is positioned against the matingsurface of the docking station.
 5. The barcode scanning device of claim2, wherein the magnetic structure includes: a first magnet with a firstpolarity directed towards the mating surface of the docking station whenthe barcode scanning device is positioned against the mating surface ofthe docking station; and a second magnet with an opposing polaritydirected towards the mating surface of the docking station when thebarcode scanning device is positioned against the mating surface of thedocking station; such that corresponding magnets within the dockingstation, including a first magnet with the opposing polarity and asecond magnet with the first polarity, result in the barcode scanningdevice: i) being attracted to and positioned against the mating surfaceof the docking station when a magnetic field of the first magnet of thebarcode scanning device is attracted to a magnetic field of the firstmagnet of the docking station and a magnetic field of the second magnetof the barcode scanning device is attracted to a magnetic field of thesecond magnet of the docking station; and ii) being repelled from beingpositioned against the mating surface of the docking station when themagnetic field of the first magnet of the barcode scanning device isrepelled from the magnetic field of the second magnet of the dockingstation and the magnetic field of the second magnet of the barcodescanning device is repelled from the magnetic field of the first magnetof the barcode reader.
 6. The barcode scanning device of claim 5,wherein the positioning structure is configured to rotate the barcodescanning device into alignment against the mating surface of the dockingstation when the barcode scanning device is attracted to the matingsurface of the docking station by the magnetic field of the first magnetof the docking station being attracted to the magnetic field of thefirst magnet of the barcode scanning device and the magnetic field ofthe second magnet of the docking station being attracted to the magneticfield of the second magnet of the barcode scanning device.
 7. Thebarcode scanning device of claim 5, wherein the positioning structure isconfigured to laterally displace the barcode scanning device intoalignment against the mating surface of the docking station when thebarcode reader is attracted to the mating surface of the docking stationby the magnetic field of the first magnet of the docking station beingattracted to the magnetic field of the first magnet of the barcodescanning device and the magnetic field of the second magnet of thedocking station being attracted to the magnetic field of the secondmagnet of the barcode scanning device.
 8. The barcode scanning device ofclaim 3, wherein the positioning structure is a cavity within thehousing and is configured to be engaged with a corresponding positioningstructure extended outward from the mating surface of the dockingstation.
 9. The barcode scanning device of claim 3, wherein thepositioning structure is a periphery of the housing configured to beengaged with an extension formed around an edge of the mating surface ofthe docking station.
 10. The barcode scanning device of claim 2, furthercomprising: a battery for supplying operating power for the barcodescanning device.
 11. The barcode scanning device of claim 10, furthercomprising: a charging circuitry configured to charge the battery whenthe barcode scanning device is coupled to an external power source. 12.The barcode scanning device of claim 1, further comprising: a radiofrequency (RF) circuitry for sending image data or decoded data of abarcode to a remote host.
 13. The barcode scanning device of claim 1,further comprising: a trigger button for triggering capturing an imageof a barcode.
 14. The barcode scanning device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a signal generator for generating a signal indicating asuccessful reading of a barcode.
 15. The barcode scanning device ofclaim 14, wherein the signal is one of sound, light, or vibration. 16.The barcode scanning device of claim 2, wherein the charging contactsare positioned around a periphery of the housing.
 17. The barcodescanning device of claim 16, wherein one charging contact is provided oneach of opposing sides of the housing.
 18. The barcode scanning deviceof claim 2, wherein the charging contacts are in a ring shape around thehousing.
 19. The barcode scanning device of claim 1, wherein the barcodereader has a field of view extending along a longitudinal axis of thehousing.
 20. The barcode scanning device of claim 1, wherein the barcodereader has a field of view adjustable with respect to the housing. 21.The barcode scanning device of claim 20, wherein the barcode reader isrotatable about a longitudinal axis of the housing to adjust the fieldof view.
 22. The barcode scanning device of claim 20, wherein thebarcode reader is rotatable about an axis different from a longitudinalaxis of the housing to adjust the field of view.
 23. The barcodescanning device of claim 20, wherein the barcode reader is rotatableabout an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the housing toadjust the field of view.
 24. The barcode scanning device of claim 1,further comprising a means for sending data via contact of thecapacitive tip against a touch screen, wherein the data is related to aresult of reading a barcode.
 25. The barcode scanning device of claim 1,wherein the capacitive tip is replaceable.
 26. The barcode scanningdevice of claim 25, wherein the capacitive tip is replaceable indifferent sizes depending on an application.